PREFACE. Vil 
to see for themselves I would tell of my walks ; 
it is above all the careworn indoor workers to 
whom I would bring a breath of the woods, pic- 
tures of sunlit fields, and a hint of the simple, 
childlike gladness, the peace and comfort that is 
offered us every day by these blessed winged mes- 
sengers of nature. 
Many of the articles herein contained were 
published in the Audubon Magazine in 1886. 
These have been revised and largely rewritten. 
The others now appear for the first time. The 
illustrations are from Baird, Brewer and Ridg- 
way’s History of North American Birds. For 
permission to use them I am indebted to Mr. 
Ridgway. 
Locust GrovE, New York, January, 1888. 
