PREFACE. 
INCE MY earliest boyhood I have studied our birds in their haunts. 
A small lake near my parental home in Town Hermann, Sheboygan 
Co., Wis., was then surrounded by a primeval forest. White pines 
towered high into the air. Sugar maples, beeches, birches, oaks, and 
other trees covered the hill-sides, while broad spreading elms, ash 
trees, tamaracks, and masses of dense thickets were found in the lowlands 
and on the peaty margins of the lake. A great number of different birds 
assembled here in summer. Bronzed Grackles, Red-winged Starlings, Bobo- 
links, and Passenger Pigeons were in these by-gone days exceedingly 
abundant. On the hill-side, where a clear, cool spring emerged from the 
stony ground, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak poured forth its rich and loud 
song, while the Towhee, the Scarled Tanager, different, Vireos and Warblers 
were frequently heard near by. When the twilight of evening fell I was 
saluted by the enchanting song of the Veery, which was only interrupted by the 
nocturnal sounds ofthe Whippoorwill. The flame-colored Baltimore Oriole suspended its 
purse-like nest from the tall'elms; the Cedarbirds nested in abundance in the lowlands. 
Wood Ducks were common, and the Ruffed Grouse was frequently seen in the dense 
underwood, leading and guarding its young brood. With indescribable quickness the 
young chickens disappeared under the bushes on all sides when flushed. Mud Hens 
walked gracefully over the water-lily leaves in the lake’s outlet. I was almost sure to 
be saluted by the loud and liquid song of the Purple Finch, whenever I entered the helt 
of woodland which surrounded our clearing. In spring and summer this beautiful land- 
scape with its bird life was in reality a wonderland to me. I knew almost all the 
birds by their voices and colors; I was also acquainted with their nests and eggs, 
but knew not their names, neither did I know anything about their distribution and 
classification. I was anxious to learn whence the heralds of spring came, and whither 
they went when winter was approaching. My craving for a book, from which I 
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