PREFACE 
than I have done. I only hope that my work may 
help extend the growing enthusiasm for Nature- 
study, and that the simple narrative of my personal 
observations, written without any assumption of 
technical learning, may interest many in my friends, 
the Water-Fowl. 
Though my experiences, as narrated, have been 
largely in the northern portions of the country, they 
characterize almost equally well the Water-Fowl of 
the middle districts, and the species mentioned, 
wherever found. Owing to exigencies of space, 
many of the illustrations are reduced in size from 
the original photographs; where there has been ap- 
preciable enlargement, the fact and degree are noted. 
Companions in the field and other friends have 
generously placed at my disposal even more of their 
pictures than could be need supplying certain gaps 
in my material, and I wish herewith to express my 
Ae acknowledemients to. Miessisy A Ge Bent, 
C. $8. Day, Owen Bunt Rev. «C. J. Young, oh 
L. Baily, W. H. Fisher and H. A. Shaw. 
HerBert K. Jos. 
Kent, Connecticut, March, 1902. 
