PREFACE. 
Wild Scenes and Song-Birds can fairly be considered but as an- 
other step towards that assimilation between the formalities of the 
mere technical natural history, and the diversified graces and uses of 
general literature, for which the author, in his proper character of 
Hunter-Naturalist, has labored for so many years. 
Little more need therefore be said concerning the method of this 
volume, than that all method, such as is of a purely technical char- 
acter, has been purposely avoided in the text. 
The Hunter-Naturalist claims a method of his own, and whether it 
be for better or for worse, he has chosen to impress the seal and 
stamp thereof upon this series. Whether in his bear-skin cap and 
rough-furred hunting-cloak, he lead the way, rifle in hand, to fast- 
nesses, and exhibit to you the rude and bloody exigencies of the strife 
of man with the savage occupants of a primeval wilderness — or with 
such ungainly appliances thrown aside, and heart attuned to harmo- 
nies, he discourses to you Nature's gayest, gentlest themes, while loi- 
tering in her sunshine, he still claims to be real in his own individ- 
uality — the Hunter-Naturalist and nothing more ! 
The living man dealing with living nature is not likely to treat of 
her as he would of a Pre- Adamite Golgotha, and attempt to make such 
music out of her as the rattling of dry bones ! The Hunter-Naturalist 
must therefore be excused if he prefer to convey something of the 
