PKEFACE 



The great growth of " Audubon Societies " for young 

 people and of "Bands of Mercy" among children; the 

 adoption of the " Bird of Washington," or the white- 

 headed eagle, on many State shields, and on crests and em- 

 blems; and the new view of what Audubon's Birds of 

 America did to bring a superior emigration to our States — 

 suggest a place for a new story of the life of Audubon. 



Such a story I have attempted to write, so as to give 

 a picture of old times in the pioneer West, and to encour- 

 age the forming of societies for the protection of birds. 

 The study of birds with the camera opens a new field 

 for the young naturalist, and calls him to the woods and 

 country under new conditions. 



While the story of Audubon's life in this volume fol- 

 lows the methods of historical fiction, the narrative and 

 illustrated anecdotes are substantially true — fact in picture. 



There is, so far as I know, no American story of Audu- 

 bon for young people's libraries of historical fiction. The 

 story of the Protector of Birds would seem to be a needed 

 influence in the growth of the kindergarten spirit toward 



birds and dumb animals. 



vii 



