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THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



All communications for this department 

 should be sent to the Department Editor, 

 Mr. Harry G. Higbee, 13 Austin Street, 

 Hyde Park, Massachusetts. Items, articles 

 and photographs in this department not 

 otherwise credited are by the Department 

 Editor. 



Let Us Make It Better! 



Hyde Park. Mass. 

 To Our Readers : 



In assuming the responsibility of this 

 department, I have done so somewhat 

 reluctantly and only with the confi- 

 dence in our readers of their willingness 

 to assist in making it a success. 



Let us have a department as brim- 

 ful of interesting bird notes and obser- 

 vations as the bobolink's song is full 

 ■of melody. To do this we must depend 

 upon the help of many rather than the 

 over-exertion of a few. 



Personal observations and anecdotes 

 •of bird-life are always interesting and 

 faithful research by our thousands of 

 readers in their widely separated locali- 

 ties cannot fail to bring to light much 

 valuable information. 

 Take your note-books and pencils with 

 you afield. If you have a camera you 

 will get so much more enjoyment out of 

 your study. Sharp eyes and ears are 

 the prime requisites. In any event ob- 

 serve accurately and do not over-look 

 ■details — these may be the most import- 

 ant — and above all. never jmnp at con- 

 •clusions. 



By the interchange of ideas, the re- 

 sults of what we see and hear and the 

 facts learned we should be able 

 to help each other and may each 

 learn something to our profit. First- 

 "hand study is what we want and oppor- 

 tunities are never lacking for faithful 

 observers. 



Bespeaking the indulgence of our 

 rea'ders I wish to assure them of my 

 earnest endeavors to make this depart- 

 ment of interest to all. and to urge their 

 co-operation in the attainment of this 

 end. 



Harry G. Higbee. 



A Visit to the Home of the American 

 Eagle. 



PHOTOGRAPHS BV DR. A. W. KING AND 

 THE AUTHOR. 



About midway along the western 

 coast of Florida, where the blue waters 

 of the Gulf of ]*iIexico lap the white 

 sands and wash up curious sponges, 

 shells, and other forms of marine life, a 

 channel has broken through the low- 

 lying coastal reefs, and finding its way 

 in graceful curves among the palmettos, 

 has spread out its waters into the quiet 



BALD EAGLE AND NEST. 



