vill PREFACE. 
reads every word you write, and then she goes out into the 
fields and woods and finds all them you speak about and 
more too. 
Z, J am glad she is able to find so many, and that you 
take such an interest in them. How old is your little grand- 
daughter ? 
Ff. She’s only twelve, but she’s bright and smart for her age. 
She likes to be out 0’ doors and learning about all these wild 
things. She takes solid comfort doing it. We hope you will 
keep right on doing as you have, because there are other folks 
besides us that are interested too. 
I thanked him for his kindly appreciation and, after a little 
further conversation on outdoor matters, he drove on. I will 
not deny that this unexpected expression of interest and earnest 
injunction to ‘keep right on” have been sometimes in my mind 
in the preparation of this book, and are a sufficient explanation 
of the dedication. 
The love of Nature is a deep-seated one. To all real children 
the world is a world of wonders: plant and animal life is full of 
inystery. To thinking adults the world is as full of wonders as 
it is to children, only the wonders are more wonderful, the 
mysteries of Life more mysterious. Contemplation of Nature 
is a source of endless delight to him whose eyes have in them 
the power of seeing. Some are born with this keen insight ; 
others acquire it through accidents of environment or educa- 
tion. In this connection I wish to express here my feeling of 
indebtedness to my friend of many years, Dr. George C. Webber 
of Millbury, in congenial association with whom and in recog- 
nizing the real gratification he drew from an all-round interest 
in Nature-studies I found the inspiring cause of my awaking to 
a deeper and more intelligent interest in these same studies. 
