es have appeared before, in somewhat different
form, in 'The Auk,' 'The Observer,' and 'Our Animal Friends;' all the
others are published here for the first time.

The illustrations are from drawings of birds and nests by Louis Agassiz
Fuertes, and from photographs taken in the valley; together with some
of eucalyptus-trees from Los Angeles, for the use of which I am indebted
to the courtesy of Dr. B. E. Fernow, Chief of the Division of Forestry
of the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

In the preparation of the book I have been kindly assisted by Miss
Isabel Eaton, and have received from my brother, Dr. C. Hart Merriam,
untiring criticism and advice.

FLORENCE A. MERRIAM.

LOCUST GROVE, N. Y.,
July 15, 1896.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
I. OUR VALLEY 1
II. THE LITTLE LOVER 20
III. LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT 38
IV. WAS IT A SEQUEL? 48
V. LITTLE PRISONERS IN THE TOWER 65
VI. HINTS BY THE WAY 81
VII. AROUND OUR RANCH-HOUSE 86
VIII. POCKET MAKERS 103
IX. THE BIG SYCAMORE 112
X. AMONG MY TENANTS 123
XI. AN UNNAMED BIRD 140
XII. HUMMERS 147
XIII. IN THE SHADE OF THE OAKS 159
XIV. A MYSTERIOUS TRAGEDY 171
XV. HOW I HELPED BUILD A NEST 175
XVI. IN OUR NEIGHBOR'S DOOR-YARD 184
XVII. WHICH WAS THE MOTHER BIRD? 189
XVIII. A RARE BIRD 194
XIX. MY BLUE GUM GROVE 211

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Mountain Billy under the Gnatcatcher's Oak. _Frontispiece_
Our Valley 4
Head of Black-headed Grosbeak 8
Head of Rose-breasted Grosbeak 8
In Hot Pursuit (Brewer's Blackbird and Bee-birds) 13
The Little Lover (Western House Wren) 20