PREFACE. 
it is, last from the publisher, but first from birds which 
have sung in the field and on the hillside for the past 
five years. Whose are the songs,mine? No, lam only 
the reporter who has listened attentively for a score of 
vernal seasons to the little feathered musicians of Na- 
ture’s great orchestra. The volume is literally a field- 
book filled with the musical sayings of American birds; 
I have taken no liberties with the scores, except to 
make a doubtful A or B no longer doubtful. Allisa 
literal transcription, not without certain puzzling phases, 
of course ; for who of us have never been bothered by 
the rapid performances of expert musicians! Naturally, 
therefore, some of my records are imperfect; indeed, it 
is safe to add that some singers sang a great deal more 
than I was able to put down on paper. I trust, however, 
that no bird lover will be disturbed by the remarkable 
records coming from the more talented songsters when 
he hears what they have done through the interposition 
of the pianist. If he should doubt my record I would 
be pleased to introduce him to my bird (or perhaps 
some other one just as talented) in the field opposite my 
studio, or on the mountain-side behind it, in the wilds 
of New Hampshire. 
To those kind friends who have greatly assisted me 
by advice and service in the planning of this work Iam 
glad to extend grateful acknowledgments. Mr. William 
Brewster has permitted me to sketch in water-color 
from specimens in his museum. Mr. Walter Deane has 
been generous in advice. Mr. Frank Chapman has 
given me ample facilities to sketch from specimens in 
the New York Museum of Natural History. Messrs. 
Lee and Shepard have kindly presented me with a copy 
of Mr. Cheney’s Wood Notes Wild, and granted per. 
mission to quote therefrom. Messrs. Houghton and 
Mifflin have allowed me to quote from those admirable 
little volumes of that charming writer and true nature- 
lover, Mr. Bradford Torrey.* Messrs. Ginn and Company 
* Mr. Torrey, above all other authors, has succeeded in succinctly 
describing the musical rhythm of the bird’s song, and has also used 
practical musical definitions. His writings are of inestimable 
value to one who pursues the study of bird music. 
aA 
