12 Introduction 



shall merely add an expression of hope that his book will 

 pass into the hands of many readers, and of confidence 

 that they will find much in its pages to stimulate their 

 interest in our native wild birds. 



HERBERT MAXWELL. 

 Monreith, October, 1921. 



AUTHOR'S AFTERTHOUGHT 



This book does not aim at being a Reference Book. 



Scores of men and women and boys and girls who are 

 keenly interested in the wild birds they see and hear 

 do not crave technical facts so much as actual observations 

 which will serve to make them better acquainted with 

 their bird friends. Therefore, I have written these 

 observations feeling that what has interested me will 

 interest others. 



In the study of Wild Nature one fingerpost points to 

 Arcady and the other to Science. I can only hope that 

 my notes will be of some little value to those who have 

 followed the latter on account of the fact that they are 

 the result of first hand and careful observation. 



At all events, if I have produced a book which any lover 

 of outdoor life can read without an irksome sense of 

 self-improvement, that is something. 



And those who do not like the letterpress will, I hope, 

 appreciate the illustrations. 



I wish to express my most sincere thanks to the Right 

 Honourable Sir Herbert Maxwell, Bart., for his kindly and 

 helpful interest. So long as we have sportsmen of such 

 standing and ideals our wild birds are at least sure of the 

 consideration which good influence can give them. 



East Lothian, July, 1922. 



