PREFACE 



Mystery and wonder wing their way overhead 

 with every stroke of a bird's pinions. Every 

 greensward, every tree, every league of sea or 

 spread of beach is replete with adventure and 

 romance, not less thrilling because its knights and 

 heroes are bom with feathers. Eescues and hair- 

 breadth escapes are the daily portion of these 

 cavaliers of the air. 



Little though we may think it, our fate lies in 

 the keeping of the birds. Let them but fail us for 

 one season, and all our vaunted civilization goes 

 to naught. Their lives are our surety, their pro- 

 tection is a debt of gratitude that we should pay 

 willingly and eagerly. Nowhere in the world is 

 there to be found a truer appreciation of kindness 

 than in the heart of a bird. 



The United States Biological Survey, the 

 Audubon Societies, and the Bird Sanctuary move- 

 ments are three of the great forces of America for 

 the protection of birds. Where the Pacific surges 

 beat against coral reefs, Uncle Sam's sailors do 

 vii 



