xvi NEWS FROM THE BIRDS. 



The second purpose of tlie book is inspira- 

 tion. It is by no means a key. Perhaps a 

 sufficient number of keys have already been 

 issued. It would at least seem to me that the 

 manuals of Dr. Coues, Mr. Ridgway, and Mr. 

 Chapman leave little to be desired in the way 

 of helps in the identification of species. In- 

 stead of telling all that is or may be known 

 about a particular bird, I have sought only to 

 recite such incidents as will spur the reader to 

 go out into the fields and woods and study 

 the birds in their native haunts. Indeed, if he 

 should lay the book aside and dash afield to 

 see the birds themselves, I should not feel in 

 the least slighted, but should regard it as the 

 highest compliment that could be paid to my 

 humble efforts. 



Even at the risk of dampening enthusiasm, 

 it should be said that bird study is not all 

 roseate. AVhile in many resjDects it is like 

 play, it also has in it the element of work. 

 The birds will not often come to the observer ; 

 he must usually go to the birds. He will 

 often find them shy and elusive and hard to 



