2 
AN OPENING WORD 
pains the conscientious naturalist, but simply a 
mental assimilation of sights and sounds* What is 
seen and heard— -things revealed to the eye and ear — 
may awaken a delighted interest, but our thoughts 
and fancies, stirred by what is partly revealed, have 
a deeper charm* Following these suburban rambles 
may yield the keen pleasure of observations verified* 
And perhaps in the wayward ramblings a community 
of fancy may be discovered more pleasant and more 
fraternal than the kindred joy of disclosing nature's 
guarded secrets* 
