INTRODUCTORY 



That we know so little, as a people, of our birds, 

 trees, rocks, and flowers, is not due, I think, so 

 much to any inborn lack of appreciation of the 

 beautiful or interesting, as to the fact that we have 

 been obliged to concentrate our energies in those 

 directions which seemed to lead to some immedi- 

 ate material advantage, leaving us little time to 

 expend upon the study of such objects as promised 

 to yield no tangible remuneration. Then, too, Love of 

 our struggle for existence has taken place largely the increase 

 in towns where there is almost nothing to awaken 

 any dormant love of nature. But, little by little, 

 we are changing all that. Each year a larger 

 portion of our city population is able to seek the 

 refreshment and inspiration of the country during 

 those months when it is almost, if not quite, at its 

 loveliest. And while among this constantly in- 

 creasing class there are many, undoubtedly, who 

 " having eyes to see, see not," even among sights 

 sufficiently fraught with interest, one would sup- 

 pose, to awaken the curiosity of the dullest, yet 



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