xviii INTRODUCTORY 



this new branch of science, when the association purposed 

 to organize a department to prosecute it. 



Up to about 1875 birds of all sorts were slaughtered for 

 food, or sport, or their plumage, with almost utter uncon- 

 cern. Then it began to dawn upon thoughtful minds that 

 bird life had economic value, and that, unless the slaughter 

 was stopped, there soon would be no birds. 



A great and successful warfare has been waged for the 

 protection of bird life, and now public sentiment strongly 

 demands its restoration to normal abundance. This has 

 resulted in great good, and the wild bird population of the 

 whole country has gained in numbers ; but much remains to 

 be done, and more and more persons are conscientiously 

 trying to advance the beneficent movement. 



One of the most interesting developments in pubHc senti- 

 ment is that an increasing number of persons are discovering 

 that it affords them pleasure to see wild birds multiply, 

 particularly as the result of their own efforts; to have them 

 settled on their own land or home-spot; to see new kinds; 

 and to have intimate personal contact with these pretty 

 pensioners. 



Louis Agassiz Fuertes, the artist of bird life, once asked 

 the writer whether he ever felt a sort of rapturous thrill 

 when in close proximity to a wild bird, especially with a rare 

 or unusual one. Bless his artistic soul! A thousand times, 

 yes! It is one of the most entrancing emotions; and the 

 person is fortunate indeed who knows it from frequent ex- 

 perience. 



Recently I sat for more than an hour on the shore of a 

 small pond close to several species of wild ducks in all the 

 glory of their nuptial plumage. The previous season out in 

 the wilds of northern Manitoba I had hatched these duck- 

 Hngs in an incubator, raised them by hand, and had brought 



