CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 



PAGE 



The Book: An Apology ...... i 



A preliminary warning — Many books about a few birds — 

 People who discover well-known birds — An excuse for 

 the multiplicity of bird-books — Universal delight in 

 wild birds — Interview with a county councillor — A 

 gold-crest's visit to a hospital — A rascal's blessing — 

 Incident of the dying Garibaldi and a bird. 



CHAPTER II 



Cardinal: The Story of my First Caged Bird. 



The past recalled by a sound — A caged cardinal — A memory 

 of childhood — The clergyman's cardinal — My first caged 

 bird — History of its escapades and ultimate fate. 



CHAPTER III 



Wells-next-the-Sea, where Wild Geese Congregate 25 



A restful spot — The marsh and the pine wood — Wild geese 

 on the marsh — Their tameness there — Alarums and 

 excursions — Their intelligence — Bird-sanctuary at 

 Holkham. 



CHAPTER IV 



Great Bird Gatherings ...... 34 



Mr. Richard Lydekker's search for the crested screamer — 

 — Extirpation of birds in La Plata — Persecution of sea 

 birds in England — The fight to save our birds — Our 

 delight in the spectacle of great bird-gatherings. 



