PREFACE 



This book is the outgrowth of four years of experience in 

 the preparation of bird lessons for a city school of more than 

 two thousand pupils. After beginning this line of nature work 

 with much trepidation and many protests, the teachers soon 

 came to favor and enjoy it. From the first lesson "Bird Study" 

 was popular with the children, who looked forward to the bird 

 lesson as the brightest hour of the week. 



The first purpose of this book is to present to teachers a 

 short course in one branch of nature study in such a form 

 that they may easily prepare themselves to teach it. It is of 

 little use to outline courses of study in nature work and direct 

 teachers to formulate practical lessons accordingly. Few 

 teachers have the time, the experience or the training to enable, 

 them to select material for proper nature lessons. They need 

 assistance which outlines lacking the subject-matter- cannot give 

 them. This book presents the lessons ready for class use. 



A second purpose is to offer to young people in school and 



at home a series of simple lessons on sixty common birds, the 



most of which may be seen in parks or woods, in city or country. 



In view of the intimate relation which birds bear to agriculture, 



a knowledge of their habits is of the highest importance to us. 



All observers of birds soon become bird lovers and strong 



defenders of their rights. If this book helps to promote a more 



intelligent appreciation of the usefulness of birds, and creates 



in some measure a more determined purpose to protect and 



preserve them from harm, it will have accomplished its highest 



aim. 



Herman C. De Groat. 



Buffalo, N. Y., October, 1911. 



