Introduction 



Moreover, there is perhaps less danger 

 of becoming a mere one-sided specialist 

 along this line in the natural world around 

 us than any other. It is hard to be narrow 

 and contracted of spirit amidst the sweet 

 and multitudinous voices of the winged 

 creatures of the air, all of them filled to 

 overflowing wdth much of the same pure 

 joy that presents itself appeahngly to us 

 in the sunlit breezes of a ]\Iay morning 

 or October afternoon, the fragrant blossoms 

 of an orchard, the varied flowers of verdant 

 meadow and mossy wood, the melody of 

 whispering trees and running brooks, the 

 mighty outlook of hill and mountain, and 

 the boundless sweep of the ocean. And 

 many to whom, perchance, this joy has 

 been as nothing will be led unconsciously 

 by the gentle persuasion of it in birds 

 into a high and liberal frame of mind, 

 which, taking note of all things though 

 pursuing but a single quest, will finally 

 embrace all in a large and generous com- 

 prehension and capacity. 



The reader who has come only this 



fill 



