PREFACE. 
The flight of birds cannot but be of interest to 
men who sail the air on their biplanes or monoplanes, 
for the bird is, as yet at any rate, peerless among 
aviators, and in describing his methods I have kept 
in view the methods and the difficulties of those 
who are striving to rival him. It is possible, there- 
fore, that this little book may find readers among 
those who not only study flight but fly. But, since 
I have tried as far as possible to avoid technical 
terms and make it easily intelligible, 1 hope it may 
appeal to the larger class who, whether scientific 
ornithologists or not, take a delight in birds and 
their doings. 
I have to thank many friends for their help ; Mr. 
J. A. Tregelles for three drawings which can speak 
for themselves (the frontispiece and figures 13 and 14) 
and also for reading a typewritten copy of the 
book: Mr. ©. W. Adams for reading the first five 
chapters: four Haileyburians past or present for 
drawings and a photograph; W. T. Hichens for 
figures 18-23; G. G. Nanson for the diagrams ; 
Vv 
