Preface 1X 
last few years, which has accomplished considerable 
in the way of protection, especially among the birds. 
This has been brought about largely through the 
influences of clubs and societies that have been formed 
for the purpose of studying wild life. 
I am under obligations to various landowners 
for the privilege of tramping about their fields, and 
in many instances for valuable assistance. To the 
boys, also, who have helped me in so many ways 
I extend sincere thanks; for without them some of 
my best pictures would never have been possible. I 
am under special obligations to Miss Caroline E. 
Alden for literary criticism and reviewing, and to 
Mr. Edward H. Dutcher for many valuable sug- 
gestions as to text and arrangement. 
Thanks are due the proprietors of St. Nicholas 
and Field and Stream for permission to republish 
articles which have appeared in those magazines. 
Fast ORANGE, N. J., 
March, 1905. 
