PREFACE 



Some of tlie following papers originally 

 appeared in the ^Buffalo Sunday Courier,' 'Buf- 

 falo Commercial,' Bulletin of tlie 'Society of 

 Natural Sciences,' and Chicago ' Humane Jour- 

 nal.' They were apparently so well received 

 that I have been persuaded to revise and 

 republish them, in connection with others of 

 more general interest, in book form. 



What I have written of the birds in this little 

 volume has been 'a labor of love.' Human 

 companionship excepted, these blessed creatures 

 have ministered to my happiness in a greater 

 degree than any other class of objects. About 

 home they have ever been a solace and a delight. 

 When I have been among human strangers I 

 have found the birds old acquaintances and inti- 

 mate friends, always giving so much, and exacting 

 so little in return. The continued persecution 



