TRAVELS ABOUT HOME 

 INTRODUCTORY. 



The nature of the work for which, in the main, the field 

 studies herein recorded have been made, has led me to the 

 more remote parts of our country ; but I should convey a 

 wholly wrong- impression of the possibilities of bird study, 

 if I permitted this volume to appear without saying a word 

 of the opportunities which lie within the reach of the local 

 bird student. 



Continuous and definitely directed observation is the 

 secret of success in the study of bird-life ; and only that 

 permanency of residence which permits us to keep a close 

 watch on the species, through the year, and on the individ- 

 ual through the nesting season, will enable us to write an 

 adequate history of its life. 



I would emphasize tlie necessity of specialization. It may 

 almost be said with truth that most of our knowledge of 

 birds has been acquired by accident, so haphazard have been 

 our methods of study. But, for this very reason, there is 

 abundant opportunity for the student who, not content with 

 a general knowledge of birds, determines to make himself an 

 authority on some particular bird, preferably the one most 

 abundant in his own neighborhood. If he does justice to his 

 subject, he will never lack an outlet for his ornithological 

 ambitions. 



As has been intimated, circumstances have deprived me 

 of the privilege of acquiring a more intimate knowledge of 

 my own home birds and I cannot, thei-ef ore, present that type 

 of bird biography which considers the bird throughout the 

 year or during the season of its presence. Nevertheless, it 



