preface. 



The object of this little book is to furnish those who may 

 be interested in making the acquaintance of wild birds with 

 a simple letter of introduction to 200 birds, the majority of 

 which are commonly seen during the spring migration. 



Complete descriptions have been avoided, in the belief 

 that the student should rely upon his own observation for 

 the discovery of minor details. The living bird is the one 

 important fact which will make the brief hints offered of 

 value. 



Anyone caring to make use of these hints may be assured 

 that during the migrations of the birds city dwellers have 

 one of the keenest delights of country life brought to their 

 very doors, because many birds, migrating largely at night, 

 are attracted by the lights of the city and stop off in their 

 long journey to feed, so that a city park often contains a 

 greater variety of feathered visitors than an equal area in 

 the country. 



We wish to remind those of our friends who have asked 

 for pictures in a future edition that every springtime this 

 book is copiously illustrated in our parks and around our 

 homes by hundreds of living birds and that these illustra- 

 tions are all life size, absolutely accurate in detail and color- 

 ed true to nature. 



