more, perhaps, from the camera, whose revelations have marvelously justified the 

 conventional conclusions of Japanese decorative art. Nature is ever the nursing 

 mother of Art. While our function in the text has necessarily been interpretative, we 

 have preferred in the pictures to let Nature speak for herself, and we have held ourselves 

 and our artists to the strictest accounting for any retouching or modification of photo- 

 graphs. Except, therefore, as explicitly noted, the half-tones from photographs are 

 faithful presentations of life. If they inspire any with a sense of the beauty of things 

 as they are, or suggest to any the theme for some composition, whether on canvas, 

 fresco, vase, or tile, in things as they might be, then our labor will not have been in vain. 



It affords us deep satisfaction to present 106 color plates from paintings by Major 

 Allan Brooks, for in our opinion this artist is without a peer in the delineation of birds. 

 Major Brooks, although a resident of British Columbia, has pursued extensive studies 

 in California, and was a welcome guest at "Los Colibris" for two winters. We regret 

 not having been able to avail ourselves further of the masterly work of Mr. Louis 

 Agassiz Fuertes, nor of that of Mr. George Miksch Sutton, a younger artist of brilliant 

 promise, although we are glad to. present one plate each from these gentlemen. 



The photographic work of Mr. Donald R. Dickey, of Pasadena, speaks for itself. 

 The author is under the deepest personal obligation to Mr. Dickey for his able and 

 enthusiastic cooperation, a service which of itself would have assured the worthy 

 illustration of "The Birds of California." In like manner, Mr. Wright M. Pierce, of 

 Claremont, has given without stint of the products of his photographic skill, and has 

 set us wishing that he might be persuaded to undertake bird photography as a pro- 

 fession. Mr. William L. Finley, of Oregon, is a well-known star in his own realm, 

 and he has generously spared us a few scintillations. Specific acknowledgement of 

 welcome contributions from other artists, both amateur and professional, is made in 

 connection with the half-tones themselves, and to all these gentlemen we extend our 

 hearty thanks. 



To the Patrons and Subscribers of this work, as such, the author wishes to express 

 his sincerest thanks. The patience displayed by early subscribers to "The Birds of 

 California" is probably without parallel in publishing history, for the present publishers 

 hold, and honor, orders which were signed in November, 1910. While it is a satis- 

 faction to note that the promises of the early days have been more than redeemed 

 through the enlarged scope and enhanced illustrative equipment of the work itself, it 

 remains true that save for the timely support accorded by people of good will in the 

 old days (when the whole scheme was merely a vision on paper), the work could never 

 have been accomplished. Well said the prophet, Cast your bread upon the waters 

 and after many days it shall return unto you. 



It is quite impossible for me to express the depth of my gratitude to Miss Ellen 

 B. Scripps, of La Jolla, who has proved herself not only an astute benefactor but a 

 courageous friend. From the time I first showed her some of Brooks's pictures, back 

 in 1912, the thing I have been living for has appealed to her imagination, and the years 

 of our acquaintance have been marked by spacious courtesies. It is faith like hers 

 which sweetens life and answers our questions as to the compassion of the Infinite. 



"The Birds of California" was from its inception a cooperative undertaking. Few 

 editorial ventures have ever owed so much to the spirit of good will and to generous 

 "boosting" by disinterested friends. Brother scientists, fellow members of the Cooper 



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