PREFACE 



MY little book, I think, will readily speak 

 for itself, and, therefore, seems to need no 

 prefatory word from the author. But it 

 is pleasant to express to the reader how in- 

 teresting and delightful has been the work, 

 in the nature of pastime, done in our Public 

 Garden during the past nine seasons, and 

 how agreeable has been the task of arrang- 

 ing and analyzing the notes made there. 

 In the work I have been encouraged and 

 aided by many friends. Occasionally the 

 garden-circuit has been made with eager 

 young ornithologists who, alert and sharp- 

 eyed, have given added spirit to the morn- 

 ing's observation. At some other times the 

 companionship has been with those who 

 were earnestly bent on gathering almost 

 their first knowledge of birds and have 

 joined their steps with mine to see and be- 

 come acquainted with a few of the more 

 common visitants. Again, I have had the 



