FRIENDS IN FEATHERS 



I have done some of these things; but for the most part these 

 are simple little stories of happenings that occur every day in field 

 work. This book tells how my birds were approached, to what 

 extent their confidence was gained, and how much time was re- 

 quired ; it will show the studies and will explain what of courage, 

 strength, and patience they cost. 



My closet contains hundreds of negatives of nests, young 

 birds fully feathered on the day of leaving the nest and mostly 

 in pairs, many series from nests to grow r n birds, some extending 

 over three months; and grown birds in the act of diving, bathing, 

 flying, singing, in anger, greed, fear, taking a sun bath, and 

 courting. I have two studies of birds when the pair were forming 

 their partnership, one of a male bird standing sentinel beside his 

 brooding mate, and one of a pair of Kingfishers on a stump in 

 their favourite fishing shoal. 



In cases where nestlings are similar in form and colouring to 

 their elders, I have preferred to use the young in pairs, because 

 my heart is peculiarly tender over these plump, dainty, little 

 creatures, so I fancy others will feel 4:he same. 



Every picture reproduced is of a living bird, perching as it 

 alighted, in a characteristic environment. I have no gallery 

 save God's big workshop of field and forest, while my birds are 

 bound by no tie save the bond of friendship between us. 



