Preface.
The object of this little book is to furnish those who may be interested in making the acquaintance of wild birds with a simple letter of introduction to 145 birds, the majority of which are commonly seen during the spring migration.
Complete descriptions have been avoided, in the belief that the student should rely upon his own observation for the discovery of minor details. The living bird is the one important fact which will make the brief hints offered of value.
Anyone caring to make use of these hints may be assured that during the migrations of the birds city dwellers have one of the keenest delights of country life brought to their very doors, because many birds, migrating largely at night, are attracted by the lights of the city and stop off in their long journey to feed, so that a city park often contains a greater variety of feathered visitors than an equal area in the country.
We wish to remind those of our friends who have asked for pictures in a future edition that this book actually is copiously illustrated by hundreds of living birds every springtime in our parks and around our homes, illustrations that are all life size, absolutely accurate in detail and colored true to nature.
“As for the birds * * * they add immeasurably to the wholesome beauty of life.”
—Theodore Roosevelt, in Bird Lore, Vol. II, p. 98.