viii Preface 



their lives as much as possible, in order to know their 

 habits and wild ways — ^how they live, and how they 

 care for their young. This I have found to be an 

 endless and ever-increasing source of both knowledge 

 and enjoyment. 



In the sketches to follow, I have attempted to make 

 the photographs as far as possible illustrate the facts. 

 The pictures were not made specially for each sketch, 

 but have been selected from those best suited for 

 the purpose. It should be borne in mind that it 

 has taken years to make some of the series, such, 

 for example, as the illustrations for the muskrat 

 and woodchuck. 



The text is a simple narrative concerning the birds 

 and mammals that I have come to know a little about, 

 and there is no attempt at a display of technical 

 knowledge. The facts are all from my own observa- 

 tions and experiences, except in a few instances where 

 I have drawn upon trustworthy sources. 



I hope that both sketches and pictures may help 

 to extend living interest in the animals about us; and 

 I would urge our yoxmg people, especially, to make 

 a closer study of them in the woods and fields, for 

 it will surely add greatly to their health, pleasure, 

 and knowledge. It will also spread the popular 

 interest in birds and animals awakened within the 



