Historical Text

FOREWORD

Because of the friendship that has grown out of twenty-five years of asso- ciation with Norman Wood in a museum and in the field and because he has been a continuing source of inspiration to me, I gladly accept the opportunity to write the Foreword to his book.

The influence of Norman Wood on the lives of scores of young men can never be adequately expressed. To many a youth of high-school and college age he has taught the lessons best learned by a critical study of nature. To many he has unveiled and demonstrated the peace and content- ment, the tolerance and understanding which come to those who learn to feel at home in the woods and fields. To his associates he has given en- couragement and inspiration by his unfailing faithfulness, unselfishness, and devotion to his work and to the institution he has served for fifty-one years. All in all he has well earned the title "naturalist."

A distinguished scholar has recently defined the free university as "an organ for the increase of knowledge, a fellowship united by a common faith in the intelligibility of the universe, and a common devotion to the pursuit of scientific truth conceived in the light of that faith." It is men like the author of this book who exemplify the authenticity of this definition. Steadily and patiently through all the years of his adult life he continued his studies, only interrupting his investigations to aid a student or a col- league, asking of life only that he be permitted to aid society in the way in which he could serve most effectively.

This book is a summary of every scrap of information Mr. Wood has gathered on a project he set for himself in his youth—the preparation of a compendium of all available information on the avifauna-of Michigan. It is, indeed, to be considered a monument to a successful career.

ALEXANDER G. RUTHVEN
University of Michigan
June, 1943