A HANDBOOK OF Till: 

 UIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA 



INTRODUCTION. 

 ril.MTKK I. 



THE STl'l>Y <>F OUSITHOLOGY. 



BIROS, because of their U-auty. the charm of their songs, and the 

 ease with which they may be observed, are doubtless the forms of 

 animal life which first attract the vomit: naturalist's attention. Hi* 

 interest in them gives evidence of an inlx>rn love of Nature. Too 

 often this priceless gift is ln-t -imply through lack of encouragement 

 and instruction. Pnt|>erly developed it should proven never-failing 

 source of pleasure and inspiration, if indeed its influence does not 

 become the most potent factor in our lives. 



Let us hope that the day is not distant when the im|>ortance of in- 

 troducing natural-history studies into our schools will be generally 

 recognized. The young student of Nature will then be hrl|*>l orer 

 the repelling technicalities which render so difficult the firt || 

 a knowledge of his chosen subject. Without a guide he now either 

 loses his way completely or travels under disadvantages which handi- 

 cap him for the whole journey. 



The uninstructed beginner in ornithology usually ex[x-nds his en* 

 ergies in forming a collection, and he knows no better way of pursuing 

 his study of birds than to kill and stuff them ! Collecting specimens 

 isastepin the scientific study of birds, but ornithol,,-y would hare 

 small claim to our consideration if its possibilities ended here. Prop- 

 erly considered, it includes what may be termed the science of orni- 

 v and the sentiment of ornithology. A* a science it treat* of 

 is the exponents of natural laws and ^-cks to determii 

 place in the scale of life. In the sentiment of i-rni(l .re ap- 



peals to us through the most interesting and beautiful of her animate 

 lanoa, 



a i 



