INTRODUCTION 



IN the early days of the Gould League of Bird Lovers, 

 the executive secretary, Mr. H, W. Wilson, B.Sc. (now 

 Major Wilson, O.B.E., M.C.), drew my attention to the 

 fine work being done with a cheap camera by two 

 young bird-lovers. Great things were then predicted of 

 the youthful nature photographers. The pictures published 

 in this volume enable readers to judge how well those 

 predictions have been fulfilled. 



Fortunately, the two authors have grown up in the best 

 traditions of the League, and have fully kept their pledge 

 not to destroy our native birds and to do all possible to 

 influence others in the same direction. Doubtless their 

 published work for years to come will further assist in 

 bird protection, for this volume promises to be but the 

 first of an important series. 



Later, when the young enthusiasts, feeling themselves 

 cramped by the narrow limits of the area available to them, 

 and regretting that they had not the chance of doing work 

 of value or importance, asked the writer for advice, they 

 were assured that their own locality was the proper place 

 for work, and were advised to know their own district first. 

 Thus they would lay the foundation of a knowledge of birds 

 generally, and acquire sufficient information and experience 

 to attack, at a later date, the study of the birds of any other 

 locality. The distribution of birds is remarkably uniform, 

 owing to their powers of rapid and easy locomotion ; so the 

 knowledge of the birds of one locality is a good starting- 

 point for the study of the birds of any other region. 



The authors have devoted themselves steadily to faith- 

 ful work in their own region, and have achieved success, 



