PREFACE. 
Some of the following papers originally 
appeared in the ‘Buffalo Sunday Courier,’ ‘Buf- 
falo Commercial,’ Bulletin of the ‘Society of 
Natural Sciences,’ and Chicago ‘Humane Jour- 
nal T hey were apparently so well received 
that I have been persuaded to revise and 
republish them, in connection with others of 
more general interest, in book form. 
What I have written of the birds in this little 
volume has been ‘a labor of love’ Human 
companionship excepted, these blessed creatures 
have ministered to my happiness in a greater 
degree than any other class of objects. About 
home they have ever been a solace and a delight. 
When I have been among human strangers I 
have found the birds old acquaintances and inti- 
mate friends, always giving so much, and exacting 
so little in return. The continued persecution 
