CHAPTER I 



FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE BIRDS 



IT IS in spring that wild birds make their strong- 

 est appeal to the human mind; in fact, the words 

 "birds" and "spring" seem almost synonymous, 

 so accustomed are we to associate one with the other. 

 All the wild riotous singing, all the brave flashing of 

 wings and tail, all the mad dashing in and out among 

 the thickets or soaring upward above the tree-tops, 

 are impelled by the perfectly natural instinct of 

 mating and rearing young. And where, pray, dwells 

 the soul so poor that it does not thrill in response to 

 the appeals of the ardent lover, even if it be a bird, 

 or feel sympathy upon beholding expressions of 

 parental love and solicitude. Most people, there- 

 fore, are interested in such spring bird life as comes 

 to their notice, the extent of this interest depending 

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