From my early days I have been an enthusiastic admirer of Birds, and have always considered these beautiful denizens of our woods and fields as the most interesting and delightful portion of animated nature. In a beautiful rural landscape it is the Birds that give life and vigor to the scene; and when the passing breeze brings sweet sounds of harmony to the ear, it comes from those lovely feathered choristers who give animation and beauty to Nature.

It will be a pleasing reflection to me therefore, if I can aid and assist those that keep Birds in the proper management of them, and thereby increase the comfort and happiness of my feathered friends, from whom I have derived so much real pleasure.

In laying this little work before the public I redeem a pledge to many of my friends, (some of them years ago,) that I would at some time or other write something about the management of Birds; they, no doubt, supposing as I do, that any person that has spent as much time among Birds as I have, ought to know something about them.

I have endeavored to bring into notice some of our Birds, to which, as yet, little attention has been paid; which if found in Europe would be highly prized, and I have described some European Birds which have not as yet found their way here; nearly all the Birds described I have had in my possession, and I have laid down some plain rules for their proper treatment. For some time past I have been trying experiments on purpose to ascertain what is the most suitable food for them in a domestic state, and the result I now lay before you. If there are any of my readers who may think that my diet is too simple, and that there is not variety enough in it - that a bit of sweet cake is good for them, and a bit of sugar cannot hurt them, they are so fond of it, - to those I would say, that I know by experience that birds are like children, and that the simpler their food is, if natural, the better they will thrive.

J. M.