INTRODUCTION. 
GoME six years ago, when I began to prepare this 
little collection of the songs of the more common 
birds of New England, I anticipated many difficulties ; 
and they have been realized. The singing season is brief, 
and no one locality will suffice. Again, when one is so 
fortunate as to find a bird long sought, he may not sing; 
and if he does, the next moment he may fly beyond 
hearing or finding. Besides, it requires several repeti- 
tions of a song to insure accuracy in the copy; and the 
song of to-day may be so varied to-morrow as to be 
hardly recognizable. Another difficulty, well worthy of 
mention, is the newness of the field. At the time I took 
down my first song I had no knowledge of any person 
in America who had made the attempt; and thus far I 
have found no hint that has been of service to me. 
Fifty years’ experience as a singing-master has taught 
me that there is nothing people think so much of, pay so 
much money for, and still know so little about, as music. 
Most emphatically may this, save the money clause, be 
affirmed of the music of Nature. However thoroughly 
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