, Thanks to a number of 



V wide-awake observers and en- 

 . \ gaging writers, ornitbology is 

 "^ fast becoming one of the 

 most popular studies in our 

 homes and schools. The birds 

 are actually winning fame, and 

 well they deserve all the laurels 

 they have caj)tured in recent years. Yonder 

 little black -capped chickadee will soon be 

 more of a celebrity than the virtuoso on the 

 human stage, and the hermit thrush will steal 

 the bays from the brow of the most renowned 

 prima donna. Well, let it be so. We shall 



xiii 



