INTRODUCTION 
HE orders of birds considered in this little book are altogether 
too much neglected by the average bird-lover. That it is easier 
to study a Robin than a Loon is a poor reason for knowing 
only the former, a confession of weakness or of lack of enthusiasm. 
True, many of these birds are shy and comparatively scarce; yet 
they can be found and mastered by those determined to know them. 
Every wild, wooded section has its hawks and owls. On the open 
seacoast, during the periods of migration, many kinds of shore 
birds still occur. In marshes and swamps the retiring rails and 
herons feed. Ducks, grebes and loons resort to ponds, rivers and 
along the ocean shore. By the latter, gulls, terns and various other 
curious birds may be seen in their seasons. 
This study will involve more effort than watching warblers in the 
