The numbers and names used in this book are those adopted by the American 

 Ornithologists' Union, and are known both in this country and abroad. The lengths 

 given are averages; our small birds often vary considerably and may be found either 

 slightly larger or smaller than those quoted. 



On some of the pages a number of sub-species are mentioned. Sub-species often 

 cause confusion, because they are usually very similar to the original; they can best 

 be identified by the locality in which they are found. 



Of course the writing of birds' songs is an impossibility, but wherever I have 

 thought it might prove of assistance, I have given a crude imitation of what it sounds 

 like to me. The nests and eggs are described, as they often lead to the identity of a 

 bird. We would suggest that you neatly, and with ink, make a cross against the 

 name of each bird that you see in your locality, and also that you write at the top 

 of the page, the date of the arrival and departure of each bird as you note it; these 

 dates vary so much in different localities that we have not attempted to give them. 

 As many will not wish to soil their books, we would suggest that they have a 

 leather covered co for the library and a cloth one for pocket use. 



16 



