NATURE STALKING FOR BOYS 



CHAPTER I 



TO " OUR BOYS " 



It is a privilege of which I am fully conscious to 

 be able once again to address the large circle of 

 young naturalists in our own and other countries 

 who have, by their words and deeds, made it a 

 distinct pleasure to serve them. One of the great 

 delights of studying Nature is the splendid spirit of 

 kindredship which prevails, and to observe the 

 great and growing interest taken by young people 

 in the treasures of the countryside is one of the 

 pleasantest signs of the times. 



A writer of books who feels that he can con- 

 fidently number among his readers many real 

 friends is, as a consequence, much encouraged in 

 his work, and although I do not for one moment 

 wish to appear desirous of blowing my own 

 trumpet, as it were, I think I may say without any 

 bragging that Every Boy^s Book of British Natural 

 History and l^he Boy^s Own Nature Book have 

 afforded considerable pleasure to thousands of 

 boys and made my name familiar, not only in our 



