Another charming natural history narrative on birds by Olive Thorne Miller, some of the chapters of Little Brothers of the Air were written in 1888, on the shore of the Great South Bay, Long Island; others in the northern part of New York State, known to its residents as the “Black River Country,” a year or two later. Some chapters have been published in The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s Bazaar, The Independent and other papers. The nomenclature featured in the index has been updated to reflect modern common and scientific names as of 2015.
"Olive Thorne Miller is one of the best writers for the non-scientific public on bird life. John Burroughs and Bradford Torrey have not more love for the subject, and but little more of literary power, In Nesting Time and Bird Ways taught us to expect much from her, and in her latest volume Little Brothers of the Air repeats their charm."
"There was 'riot of roses and babel of birds, all the world in a whirl of delight,' when the three baby kingbirds opened their eyes to the June sunlight. Three weeks I had watched, if I had not assisted at, the rocking of their cradle, followed day by day the patient brooding, and carefully noted the manners and customs of the owners thereof. At last my long vigil was rewarded. It was near the end of a lovely June day, when June days were nearly over, that there appeared a gentle excitement in the kingbird family. The faithful sitter arose, with a peculiar cry that brought her mate at once to her side, and both looked eagerly together into the nest that held their hopes... That day was doubtless the birthday of the first little king."