PREFACE. 
Ir being the intention of the Publishers of 
this little work, to bring out, at the close 
of each year, a volume for the young, to be 
entitled Tur Curistmas Liprary, I have 
been engaged by them to furnish the ma- 
terial for the volumes. 
If it be asked why the plan of the 
Annuals has been abandoned so far as to 
employ but one writer instead of many — 
the answer is simply this,—it was imagined 
that the unity of the book could be more 
equally maintained through the work of one 
mind than of many. 
This volume has been written literally 
among Birds and Flowers; and has been 
my pleasant occupation through the last 
summer months; and now it is completed, 
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