INTRODUCTION 



THE acquisition of a definite knowledge 

 of birds through personal search and 

 study in the open air has no doubt 

 appeared in the minds of some too trivial 

 a matter for serious attention or any large 

 expenditure of time and energy. 



And yet others have found it more 

 important than it seems; and this — not 

 only because of what it contains in itself, 

 but also by reason of the many other 

 things of value immediately associated with 

 it. 



For, to come into close touch with the 

 very life of birds in field and forest, beside 

 the myriad delights it gradually unfolds 

 to the eye and ear and understanding 

 out of one bright kingdom of earth, means 

 also to feel the quickening thrill of all 

 nature under heaven's great dome; so 



[9] 



