work with which I am acquainted, and 

 they show two things clearly to my 

 mind, viz. : How little we really know 

 about even our common song birds, and 

 what a great desire there is on the part 

 of the public to find out. 



Nature is never prodigal in the giving 

 up of her secrets, but the diligent student 

 is sure to discover some interesting 

 fact or solve some entertaining problem ; 

 and I would urge all young people who 

 care for the delights of the country to 

 take up the study of Nature's charming 

 musicians. They will find it deeply 

 interesting to learn to identify birds by 

 their songs and call notes, and even to 

 imitate the latter with sufficient skill to 

 attract members of the species to which 

 they belong. 



Finally, I trust I may be permitted 

 to hope that this little book will stimu- 

 late an interest in our song birds, which 

 have always been a never-ending source 

 of solace and delight to me. 



R. KEARTON. 



Caterham Valley. 



