FOREWORD 



During the summer vacation days of my childhood in 

 the country I became acquainted with the robin, "ground 

 sparrow," boboHnk, kingbird, "yellow-hammer," and 

 cuckoo. 



I took my first step in ornithology hearing the hermit 

 thrush, when studying botany. 



After my interest in the hermit thrush there were 

 other birds I wanted to know. Burroughs says "Take 

 the first step in ornithology (to me it was hearing the 

 thrush), and you are ticketed for the whole voyage. 

 There is a fascination about it quite overpowering," 

 understood only by those who have had the experience. 

 Every walk, every sojourn in camp or at the farm means 

 so much more, for "the cawing of a crow makes one feel 

 at home and a new song drowns all care." 



After struggling along for a few years making slow 

 progress, I had the good fortune to be invited to join the 

 college class on their walks with Prof. Stanton. Then 

 observation really began, for under his guidance every 

 bird student must receive knowledge and inspiration. 



For several seasons the experience expressed in Van 

 Dyke's poem, "School," has been mine. 



"I put my heart to school 

 In the woods where veeries sing 

 And brooks run clear and cool, 

 In the fields where wild flowers spring. 



" 'And why do you stay so long, 

 My heart, and where do you roam ?' 

 The answer came with a laugh and a song, — 

 'I find this school is home.' " 



