Familiar Life in Field and Forest

PREFACE. THERE are few things more gratifying to the lover of Nature than those momentary glimpses of wild life which 11e obtains while passing tllrougll the field or forest. Wild axlirnals do not confine themselves exclusively to the wilderness quite frequently they venture upon the highway, and we are apt to regard the meeting with one of them there as a rare and fortunate occurrence. The daisy and the mild rose appear in their appointed places on the return of summer, and the song sparrow sings in the same tree he frequented the year before but the woodchuck, the raccoon, and the deer are not so often found exactly where we think they, belong. To seek an interview with sucll wild folk is like taking a chance in a lottery there are numerous blanks and but few prizes. But because wild life is not in constant evidence, like the wild flower, is no proof that it is uncommon. To those who keep in touch with Nature it becomes iii