CHAPTER XIV 

 PRELIMINARY MATTERS 



Title. There seems to be no very good name for the 

 class of birds now to be discussed. Some call them song- 

 birds, but they do not all sing. The term insectivorous 

 birds is not exact, for many other species eat insects. The 

 above title at any rate will suggest what is meant. 



Birds That Appeal. While certain of these species inhabit 

 the woods, the great majority are attracted to the haunts of 

 man partly owing to the greater abundance of food, es- 

 pecially insects, which they find there, and also to a degree 

 of immunity from certain natural enemies, particularly 

 predacious birds and some wild animals. Thus they come 

 into especially intimate relations with man. They are 

 the forms of wild life most easily observed, and represent 

 bird life more than any others to the average person. To 

 children they are about the only wild animals, except 

 squirrels or rabbits, that they are apt to see, and, since 

 every child is naturally interested in wild animals, the birds 

 can be made to mean very much to them. There are many 

 adults, especially ladies, who do not go afield, but who watch 

 and enjoy such birds as are readily accessible about the 

 house or garden. The average man, rightly minded, enjoys 

 the presence of wild birds about his home. In fact, within 

 the last few years there has grown an interest in attracting 

 and propagating these songsters and others which has be- 

 come one of the most popular customs of the day. It may 



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