PREFACE 
This book, as its title implies, is an effort to 
make us human folks acquainted with some of 
Nature’s humbler toilers—the builders, engineers, 
mechanics and professionals who do things quite 
as wonderful in their own way as the best that 
man can produce. 
As we walk through garden, meadow, or wood¬ 
land, we have constant opportunities to witness 
them at work, or behold the results of their labors; 
but too often we pass by with unseeing eyes. 
“ Oh, it is only a spider’s web, or an oriole’s 
nest! ” we say, and dismiss the subject from our 
minds. If we once could become really acquainted 
with the little craftsmen themselves—if we could 
draw the veil aside and see a fraction of the many 
marvels which Nature constantly has in store— 
how thrilled and humbled we would be! 
This is precisely what the present volume en¬ 
deavors to do in some measure. While addressed 
to young folks primarily, it is for every reader 
whose heart is still young and who rejoices in the 
open road. It brings together many a novel and 
interesting fact. The chapter headings alone 
will illustrate this fact: “A Race of Telegra- 
