xviii Introduction 



in its natural state, and has aided tremendously in the 

 nature movement now assuming so much force and 

 importance in our schools and elsewhere. We need 

 more serious workers, however, — more who will take it 

 up, not as a mere pastime, but with the object in view 

 of increasing the world's stock of knowledge, and I 

 wish that I might induce many to do so. 



The illustrations throughout the volume are, of course, 

 from life, and were made, with a few exceptions, amid 

 the natural surroundings. Those which were made from 

 captive animals were taken in the Bronx Zoological 

 Park, New York City. The nests were taken, in every 

 instance, in situ and often at great trouble. 



These photographs were principally selected from a 

 collection of about three thousand negatives taken by 

 myself, but I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to 

 Mr. F. M. Hale and Mr. S. D. Dixon for the use of 

 those which are attributed to them. 



