xxiv INTRODUCTORY 



ciation of Audubon Societies, New York City. It wiU be 

 of real service if those who are trying practical measures to 

 increase, attract, or propagate wild birds will acquaint me 

 with the details of their work, whether successful or other- 

 wise. Many phases of the subject are yet in the experimental 

 stage, and by comparison of methods a great deal may be 

 learned. 



I feel myself under deep , obligation to many fellow- 

 enthusiasts who in various ways have assisted, encouraged, 

 or inspired me in the prosecution of these studies and in the 

 preparation of this volume. To these various friends, whose 

 names follow, my sincere thanks and appreciation are ex- 

 tended: 



The Okeetee Club contributed liberally to the carrying 

 on of my experimental work at a time when such help was 

 particularly needed, and the results are in no small degree 

 due to its generosity. Others who have made it possible 

 for me to carry out important lines of experiment and re- 

 searchare Frederic C. Walcott, S. W. Childs, William Rocke- 

 feller, Edmund C. Converse, H. 0. Havemeyer, T. A. 

 Howell, F. F. Brewster, United States Senator George P. 

 McLean, T. Gilbert Pearson, and the donors of the fund 

 for The Department of Applied Ornithology, whose names 

 are listed in The National Association of Audubon Socie- 

 ties, "Bulletin Number 2," to whom I would add the 

 the name of my Harvard classmate, Philip Dexter. For 

 these this expression of thanks seems utterly inadequate. 



From the following I have received detailed, practical 

 information of great value, often representing the results of 

 years of observation and research. Let this mention of their 

 names, in alphabetical order, be the assurance of my appre- 

 ciation and grateful remembrance: E. Aubry, E. H. Austin, 

 0. R. Austin, A. M. Barnes, C. WiUiam Beebe, A. C. Bent, 



