INTRODUCTION 
In offering this little book to the public, the author desires to disclaim great scientific 
knowledge of birds and their ways, his object being not so much to impart information, 
as to point his readers to the way of acquiring it for themselves. He believes, indeed, 
that by reason of his own experience, recent and consequently fresh in his memory, he is 
fitted to make some suggestions, particularly looking toward the economy of time and 
labor, which will be of value to the beginner in the art of observing birds. He thinks also 
that, in view of such measure of proficiency as has been attained by him, he can give 
encouragement by the promise of ultimate success, thus affording cheer to the student, 
and it may be preventing the abandonment of a study, which, if persevered in, cannot 
fail to increase the substantial enjoyment of all out-of-door life. 
Doubtless, the beginner who has no friend learned in Natural History to counsel 
him, but is dependent wholly upon the books for guidance and his own untrained 
observation for facts, will experience certain discouragements. It will seem to him that 
if he reads up on any one bird and then sets out to find it, that particular variety will be 
the one which by no chance will he be able to meet with on his immediate excursions ; 
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