PREPACE 
HESE lessons are only an introduction to that most fascin- 
ating of nature studies, the study of birds. No attempt 
has been made to classify them, but a few of our most com- 
mon birds have been chosen for a series of familiar talks, hoping 
to awaken, thereby, a desire for further study. There are many 
writers of delightful bird stories, and for scientific descriptions of 
birds nothing is more reliable than Dr. Elliott Coues’ Key to 
North American Birds. 
By special permission of Dr. Coues, I have used, in an 
abridged form, descriptions from that book, for Laura’s tables. 
For the selections of poetry grateful acknowledgements are 
due the publishers of current periodicals and the works of stand- 
ard authors. 
The poetical selections are suitable for Bird Day or Arbor 
Day exercises as well as every day work in school. 
C. H. P. 
