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<h1> THE BURGESS BIRD BOOK FOR CHILDREN </h1>
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<h2> By Thornton W. Burgess </h2>
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<p>TO THE CHILDREN AND THE BIRDS<br/>
OF AMERICA THAT THE BONDS OF LOVE AND<br/>
FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THEM MAY BE<br/>
STRENGTHENED<br/>
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED<br/></p>
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<h2> PREFACE </h2>
<p>This book was written to supply a definite need. Its preparation was
undertaken at the urgent request of booksellers and others who have felt
the lack of a satisfactory medium of introduction to bird life for little
children. As such, and in no sense whatever as a competitor with the many
excellent books on this subject, but rather to supplement these, this
volume has been written.</p>
<p>Its primary purpose is to interest the little child in, and to make him
acquainted with, those feathered friends he is most likely to see. Because
there is no method of approach to the child mind equal to the story, this
method of conveying information has been adopted. So far as I am aware the
book is unique in this respect. In its preparation an earnest effort has
been made to present as far as possible the important facts regarding the
appearance, habits and characteristics of our feathered neighbors. It is
intended to be at once a story book and an authoritative handbook. While
it is intended for little children, it is hoped that children of larger
growth may find in it much of both interest and helpfulness.</p>
<p>Mr. Louis Agassiz Fuertes, artist and naturalist, has marvelously
supplemented such value as may be in the text by his wonderful drawings in
full color. They were made especially for this volume and are so accurate,
so true to life, that study of them will enable any one to identify the
species shown. I am greatly indebted to Mr. Fuertes for his cooperation in
the endeavor to make this book of real assistance to the beginner in the
study of our native birds.</p>
<p>It is offered to the reader without apologies of any sort. It was written
as a labor of love—love for little children and love for the birds.
If as a result of it even a few children are led to a keener interest in
and better understanding of our feathered friends, its purpose will have
been accomplished.</p>
<p>THORNTON W. BURGESS</p>
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<h1> THE BURGESS BIRD BOOK FOR CHILDREN </h1>
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