INTRODUCTION 



Living at the very border of Swope Park, Kansas City, 

 Mo., I have opportunity for making frequent excursions into 

 its remote regions as well as opportunity for viewing the 

 crowds and attractions of its more frequented portions. I 

 have mingled with the thousands of human beings that thronged 

 to view some attractions staged for the entertainment or edu- 

 cation of the populace. Again, I have wandered for hours 

 all alone in the various parts of the Park, and thus have been 

 able to see certain beauties and attractions in this magnificent 

 playground that those who mingle only with the crowds fail 

 to see, or those who journey only in motor cars fail to hear. 



With no reflection on the pleasures of the picnic crowd 

 or on the value of the artificial attractions that are brought 

 to the Park, I have frequently felt that the public generally, 

 failed to realize some of the natural beauties and items of 

 interest that this great Park holds in store for the nature 

 lover who has learned to read the wonders of Nature's ways, 

 and who has realized the solace of her secrets. 



There are many phases of Nature study, and it is a puz- 

 zling question to decide which phase is the most interesting. 

 Birds, in many ways impress themselves more prominently 

 upon the casual observer, and so are, perhaps, of greater 

 popular interest. Of almost equal common interest are the 



