Introduction 2 1 



and as we stroll through meadow or wood, or even in 

 Washington Park, we endeavor to establish the identity of 

 the birds by means of the "Field-marks" given herein. These 

 short analyses of the birds' principal characters are, in the 

 main, but quick, impressionistic outlines of the feadiered folk, 

 my only object being to present the most salient features in 

 plumage, call-notes or movements, as the bird is seen with 

 the naked eye or glass in its natural haunts. In several 

 instances I have gone beyond this, led by personal interest in 

 some particular bird; I have also used a various manner in 

 treating of a number of species; several of the biographies are 

 essay-like, others smack of the conventional "bird-book," and 

 still others bear the earmarks of tl^e mere catalogue; suffice it 

 to say, all this has been intentional and therefore I have no 

 apologies to make. 



Very little space has been given to bird-songs as I believe 

 that this subject has already been overdone. It is also practically 

 impossible to reproduce in cold type any of the wild beauty, 

 the thrilling loveliness of the most perfect bird-songs. The 

 music reviewer always finds himself severely handicapped as 

 he tries to tell his readers in mere words somediing about the 

 glories of the symphony he has heard. Therefore I have little 

 to say about the music made by the birds. If you wish to 

 hear it, go out in the fields and listen; and if my little book 

 will have aided anyone to know the minstrels better, either 

 by the coats they wear, or their habits of life, perhaps I shall 

 not have written in vain. 



