PREFACE ONE who proposes to add another volume to the large library of works on Nature Study, is expected to tender an apology for his proposal. I, there- fore, offer the following list of special features of my little book in the hope that these will be accepted as justifying its publication 1. It treats of those objects which first attract the notice of a rambler trees, wild flowers, birds eggs, beetles, grasshoppers, dragonflies, two-winged flies, sawflies, bees, butterflies, and moths. 2. Examples of each group have been specially and carefully selected, which are to be found in most parts of Britain, and may be used as types of large numbers of similar objects. 3. Each example is described as briefly as possible, only those points being specified which are likely to aid a beginner. A drawing in black and white has been made of each example, and where it is desirable to do so, the figures are arranged so that one plate gives a comprehensive view of its subject. 5. A scale for measurement of the figures has been furnished in those instances where size is important. 6. A list of books, useful in further study, with the prices, has been added at the end of each chapter. 7. Practical instructions are given for col- lecting and preserving the objects mentioned in the book. Throughout I have sought to impress the oft-forgotten fact, that a naturalist is not a mere collector of specimens, but one who loves Nature, and observes her methods and operations. I have placed in an Introduction some graver thoughts on the subject, which might not appeal to all readers, and were on that account less suited for the body of the work, but which are too important to be omitted in a book of this sort.H. H. B. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE PREFACE iii LIST OF OBJECTS DESCRIBED vii INDEX TO PLATES xiii INTRODUCTION .17 I. NATURE STUDY …. .28 II. TREES. .42 III. WILD FLOWERS 61 IV. BIRDS EGGS 82 V. BEETLES, GRASSHOPPERS, ETC. … 97 VI. DRAGONFLIES AND TWO-WINGED FLIES . . 116 VII. SAWFLIKS AND BEES 131 VIII. BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS . IX. NOTEBOOKS AND COLLECTIONS … .143 167