150 IN BERKSHIRE FIELDS 



course. But what I have sought to do is to connect 

 familiar birds with particular landscapes, to which, 

 when once recognized, they add another element of 

 individualizing charm; and to inspire in a few more 

 readers, perhaps, the gentle love of watching birds, 

 at their mating, their nesting, and their difficult 

 parenthood. Even if you have not the oppor- 

 tunity nor patience to watch a marsh- wren's nest, 

 or search for the odd little igloo of the oven-bird, 

 you can probably aid the wrens and the bluebirds 

 to select your dwelling or your yard for their abode, 

 and once you have watched a family of wrens being 

 brought up, or tamed a chipping-sparrow to remain 

 on her nest and take a cutworm from your hand 

 (it is of no use to try to tempt her with a potato- 

 bug), you will never regret your trouble. 



