PREFACE 



17^ ARLY men endowed with keen faculties 



-"-^ of observation found the regular return 



of birds to their haunts mysterious. A closer 



watch on their habits revealed a forethought, 



a method, a genius for work, an industry that 



astound the naturalists of our day ; certain 



actions of birds gave the men of old warrant 



to concede them powers of prophecy. To 



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