PREFACE. 



FROM my early days I have been an enthusiastic 

 admirer of Birds, and have always considered these 

 beautiful denizens of our woods and fields as the most 

 interesting and delightful portion of animated nature. 

 In a beautiful rural landscape it is the Birds that give 

 life and vigor to the scene ; and when the passing 

 breeze brings sweet sounds of harmony to the ear, it 

 comes from those lovely feathered choristers who 

 give animation and beauty to Nature. 



It will be a pleasing reflection to me therefore, if 

 I can aid and assist those that keep Birds in the proper 

 management of them, and thereby increase the com- 

 fort and happiness of my feathered friends, from whom 

 I have derived so much real pleasure. 



In laying this little work before the public I redeem 

 a pledge to many of my friends, (some of them years 

 ago,) that I would at some time or other write some- 

 thing about the management of Birds ; they, no doubt, 

 supposing as I do, that any person that has spent as 



