Chapter I: Introduction

This volume really needs little by way of introduction. No one can mistake the evident love for our feathered friends, the kindly assistance that has been given them, and the success of the authors in imparting to others much of that pleasure which they have undoubtedly derived from their studies.

The same recreation lies within the power of all who through inattention and thoughtlessness neglect the almost priceless relief from daily burdens afforded by such pursuits. Every one can learn something of the ways and doings of our little friends, even though he may never write a book or put a pen to paper concerning them.

Knowledge thus acquired is not wasted; it elevates the mind and trains the senses, so that in after life the habits of observing and noting frequently become of great use, and are never a detriment.

Our authors have set forth the wanton destruction of bird life consequent upon the use of feathers and parts of birds to ornament hats. They have in no way misstated; for tens of thousands of birds are annually offered on the altar of fashion to gratify a cruel and barbarous survival of savage adornment. Yet the male friend of the lady who wears upon her head a gorgeous array of mutilated, misshapen, and dyed birdskins may have done something to assist in a similar destruction of bird life. As a boy perhaps he wantonly deprived some bird of her eggs; and later, when possessed of a gun, he may have shown little discretion or thought when depriving the nestling of a mother or father who alone could feed and protect it. And as a man, too often it may be, he has allowed savage instincts to dominate his acts instead of the knowledge derived from experience and thought.

It lies within the power of many who will read these pages to assist in the distribution of evidence and in the enlightenment of others, to the end that the useless slaughter of birds and the destruction of their eggs may be prevented, or at least greatly mitigated.

Within a few years past efforts have been made to have one day a year in the schools set aside to study and consider the ways and interests of our feathered friends. The matter is of national importance, and deserves the interest that has been taken in it; but without the hearty cooperation of teachers and their efforts to interest and instruct their charges, there is little likelihood of accomplishing the end desired.

Each farmer or occupier of a tract of land has it within his power to set aside some portion of otherwise non-usable land to afford shelter and concealment for many birds, and to protect those useful species that select and require special locations in which to rear their young. The presence of birds in a locality lends a charm to the landscape which nothing else can lend. An abundance of useful and attractive species may be encouraged to remain and breed if heed is paid to their requirements, and efforts to disturb them in their orderly pursuits be prevented. With slight care such species as are not a detriment or nuisance can be assisted, and thus the value of birds as a feature of the landscape, as insect destroyers, and as vocalists can be more and more demonstrated and appreciated.

There is a book, large and bulky, yet within the reach of every one; little work is required to handle it, for its pages are always open, and it is written in the universal language. It costs nothing to read many chapters, yet, as in all good things, a little patience and some experience will assist greatly in acquiring a fair understanding of its contents. In this great Book of Nature will be found much concerning that rich and varied division of animal life to which has been given the name of Birds, and its relation to the welfare and enjoyment of humanity.

Certain helps have been invented by the experiences and intelligence of man to assist those who through inattention, unfavorable environment, or otherwise, have been unable to acquire that knowledge of this book essential to a correct understanding of their relation to animated nature.

Such a help is this little volume, which it is hoped may prove useful and instructive to many whose knowledge of bird life is small, and also be well worth a reading by those whose more extended opportunities have permitted a wider knowledge of ornithology.

WILLIAM PALMER.

National Museum, Washington, D.C.

Seek the children, little book:
Bid them love the bird's retreat,
By the brook and woodland nook,
In the garden, in the street,
In the tree above the shed,
Underneath the old barn eaves,
In their bed high overhead,
Where their crazy-quilts are leaves.

Bid them find their secrets out,
How to understand their words.
Play the scout in woods about.
Listen slyly for the birds.
Hark! I hear a child-bird say,
Piping softly in the dell,
"You may stay and see us play,
If you only love us well."

_Pasadena, Cal._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE
Introduction iii
I. The Message of a Mocking-bird 1
II. Some People we like to Know 5
III. Civilized Birds 9
IV. How Birds Dress 13
V. How Madam Bird combs her Hair 18
VI. What Birds carry in their Pockets 22
VII. Child Birds 28
VIII. How Baby Birds are Fed 33
IX. At Meal-time 39
X. Seed-eaters and Meat-eaters 45
XI. Some Birds with a Bad Name 50
XII. Before Breakfast 57
XIII. Our Birds' Restaurant--Meals at All Hours 62
XIV. Umbrellas and Other Things 68
XV. Cradle Making 73
XVI. Our Screech Owl 78
XVII. Birds at Work and Play 83
XVIII. Some Other Birds at Work 89
XIX. A Pet Humming-bird 97
XX. How we took the Humming-birds' Pictures 100
XXI. Our Robin Redbreast 107
XXII. More about Our Robin 111
XXIII. Going to Bed and getting up 116
XXIV. Mrs. Towhee proposes a Garden Party 123
XXV. At the Garden Party 129
XXVI. Our Bird Hospital 137
XXVII. A Splendid Collection 141

ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT.

PAGE
Mocking-bird 2
The Young Mocking-bird that lost its Tail in the Door 4
Crow Blackbird 11
Turkey Buzzard 15
Mountain Quail 20
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 28
Short-eared Owl 24
Nest full of Young Birds 27
Linnet 30
Humming-bird feeding her Young 35
Blue Jay 38
Downy Woodpecker 42
Chimney Swift 46
Arkansas Goldfinch 47
King-bird 51
Loggerhead Shrike 53
English Sparrow 55
Brown Towhee 58
Song Sparrow 64
Baltimore Oriole 75
Ground Owl 77
Screech Owl 79
Barn Swallow 87
Marsh Owl 88
Costa's Humming-bird 89
Cat-bird 94
Brown Thrush 95
Anna's Humming-birds 105
Robin 108
Western Bluebird 117
Whip-poor-will 121
Phœbe 121
Flicker 127
California Bush-tit and Nest 132
Meadow Lark 135
Wax-wing 139
Snowy Heron 143

OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS.