Vill Preface 
their lives as much as possible, in order to know their 
habits and wild ways—how they live, and how they 
care for their young. This I have found to be an 
endless and ever-increasing source of both knowledge 
and enjoyment. 
In the sketches to follow, I have attempted to make 
the photographs as far as possible illustrate the facts. 
The pictures were not made specially for each sketch, 
but have been selected from those best suited for 
the purpose. It should be borne in mind that it 
has taken years to make some of the series, such, 
for example, as the illustrations for the muskrat 
and woodchuck. 
The text is a simple narrative concerning the birds 
and mammals that I have come to know a little about, 
and there is no attempt at a display of technical 
knowledge. The facts are all from my own observa- 
tions and experiences, except in a few instances where 
I have drawn upon trustworthy sources, 
I hope that both sketches and pictures may help 
to extend living interest in the animals about us; and 
I would urge our young people, especially, to make 
a closer study of them in the woods and fields, for 
it will surely add greatly to their health, pleasure, 
and knowledge. It will also spread the popular 
interest in birds and animals awakened within the 
