INTRODUCTION ii^ 



feed, or heavy snows cover the weed stalks, or ice 

 encases the limbs, that we may come to their relief 

 and save them from starvation. Second, because in 

 the silence and solitude of winter the companionship 

 of birds is more welcome than at any other time 

 of the year. Third, because the winter birds are 

 powerful allies of the gardener and farmer. 



To these three reasons we may add a fourth : that 

 winter is the best season in which to begin the study 

 of birds. We will not then be discouraged by the 

 overwhelming abundance of bird-life of migration 

 time or of summer. 



During the winter only the birds which remain 

 throughout the year, and which are termed Per- 

 manent Residents, and those that come from the 

 north and are known as Winter Visitants, are with 

 us. 



If you see fifteen different kinds of birds in a 

 morning's walk you will have done well. There may 

 be many individuals of each kind, and this fact will 

 give you an excellent opportunity to observe the 

 colors and markings of each species. If you have 

 no bird book with you, you should write careful 

 descriptions of the strange birds you see, while you 

 see them, and, on returning, you should have little 

 difficulty in selecting from the colored plates the 

 birds you have found and described. 



