PRELUDE 
PARNITHOLOGY is well-nigh the 
| humblest member in the fraternity. 
of Natural Sciences. It has little 
eoteeeSe! or no recognition in school or col- 
lege, and hitherto has excited comparatively 
little general interest. It is accounted a sur- 
prising thing when a person is found who can 
speak intelligently in regard to a dozen of the 
very commonest species of birds. Yet not- 
withstanding the slight hold this science seems 
to have upon the popular mind, we find that 
in every Natural History museum in the world 
the section that proves most generally attractive, 
and is most interestedly commented upon, is 
that containing the ornithological specimens. 
The public takes a lively interest in dead birds ; 
why is it so indifferent to the living ones? 
What is a visit to the best assortment in the 
world of mounted skins neatly arranged in 
show-cases, faded and voiceless, in comparison 
with one of nature’s walks, where 
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