PREFACE 



door study are constantly asking of those more advanced 

 in hird-lore. In conformity with the custom employed 

 during many years oj college and summer-school teach- 

 ing, the author has discussed numerous details of field 

 observation, the importance of which is so often over- 

 looked by writers on the subject. 



If one can, in the recounting of some experience 

 that he has found interesting, awaken in the mind of a 

 sympathetic hearer a desire to go forth and acquire a 

 similar experience, then indeed may he regard himself 

 as a worthy disciple of the immortal Pestaloni. Let 

 the teacher who would instruct pupils in bird-study 

 first acquire, therefore, that love for the subject which is 

 sure to come when one begins to learn the birds and ob- 

 serve their movements. This book, it is hoped, will aid 

 such seekers after truth by the simple means of pointing 

 out some of the interesting things that may be sought 

 and readily found in the field and by the open 

 road. 



In the preparation of this volume much valuable aid 

 has been received from Messrs. E. W. Nelson, F. E. L. 

 [vi] 



