and in which they are most likely to be found. Again, they have 

 been grouped according to the season when they may be expected. 

 In the brief paragraphs that deal with groups of birds separated 

 into the various families represented in the book,|the character- 

 istics and traits of each clan are clearly emphasized. By these 

 several aids it is believed the merest novice will be able to quickly 

 identify any bird neighbor that is neither local nor rare. 



To the uninitiated or uninterested observer, all small, dull- 

 coldred birds are "common sparrows/' The closer scrutiny of 

 the trained eye quickly differentiates, and picks out not only the 

 Song, the Canada, and the Fox Sparrows, but finds a dozen 

 other familiar friends where one who "has eyes and sees not" 

 does not even suspect their presence. Ruskin says: "The more 

 I think of it, I find this conclusion more impressed upon nie,|that 

 the greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to 

 see something. Hundreds of people can talk for one who can 

 think, but thousands can think for one who can see. To see 

 clearly is poetry, prophecy, and religion all in one.'* 



While the author is indebted to all the time-honored standard 

 authorities, and to many ornithologists of the present day too 

 many for individual mention it is to Mr. John Burroughs her 

 deepest debt is due. To this clear-visioned prophet, who has 

 opened the blind eyes of thousands to the delights that Nature 

 holds within our easy reach, she would gratefully acknowledge 

 many obligations; first of all, for the plan on which " Bird Neigh- 

 bors is arranged; next, for his patient kindness in reading and 

 annotating the manuscript of the book; and, not least, for the 

 imspiration of his perennially charming writings that are so largely 

 responsible for the ready-made audience now awaiting writers 

 on out-of-door topics. 



It is hoped that the illustrations in this edition of " Bird Neigh- 

 bors'* will do much to add to the pleasure and profit of the reader. 

 Through the courtesy of the National Association of Audubqn 

 Societies, the pictures painted by artists who are specialists in 

 bird portraiture embellish this book. Each portrait has been 

 examined and corrected when necessary by an authority. The 

 birds are pictured as they are in life, each according to its own 

 habit of existence. 



*;The author takes this opportunity to express her appreciation 

 of the work the National Association of Audubon Societies has 

 done and is doing to prevent the slaughter of birds in all parts of 

 the United States, to develop bird sanctuaries and inaugurate 

 protective legislation. Indeed to it, more than to all other agen- 

 cies combined, is due the credit of eliminating so much of the 

 Prussianlike cruelty toward birds that once characterized Ameri- 

 can treatment of them, from the rising generation. 



x NELTJE BLANCHAN. 



