5 
PREFACE. 
To begin with. — Dear possible Reader, — This book makes 
no pretensions to be a scientific work. Indeed it is scrupulously 
otherwise. Long words are carefully left out ; nothing is said of 
scientific classification, and very little of scientific names. 
It is merely a collection of sketches, telling what is interesting 
for any-one to know, about a few of the millions of creatures on 
our globe. It was written for little people, but will not be without 
interest to any-one who is curious about the ways of our little 
neighbors, and who does not already know too much about them. 
Far be it from me to intrude upon the field of the scientific 
naturalist. I merely take his discoveries, and translate them into 
the vulgar tongue, that every-one may enjoy the delightful results 
of his work. 
There is one thing more. I have been very careful to have the 
best authority for every statement I have made, and if any young 
reader goes from this little book to its big scientific predecessors, 
he may find much to learn, but I hope will have nothing to 
unlearn. 
OLIVE THORNE. 
