CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 51 



One was somewhat like the two we killed, though a little different. 

 The other was entirely Black with a yellowish belly & undertail. 

 It was very large, about 34 inches long, & I met it in a field at the 

 foot of the mountain. It is undoubtedly a different species from the 

 others. Send me if you can the specific characters of H. Platyrhinos, 

 & the varieties if there be any. I should like the specific characters 

 of as many of our reptiles as possible. A few days ago Tom caught 

 an Agama Undulata? on our front step, and I saw another at the 

 mountain. You recollect what Swainson says about the faculty 

 possessed by Lizards of being charmed, so upon seeing this one on 

 a fence, I commenced whistling a beautiful tune when it stopped, 

 opened its mouth, cocked its head to one side, and drank in the 

 divine melody as if it never could get enough. I could not succeed 

 in killing it however. 



I have at last seen the Republican Swallow. I met it last week 

 when fishing; up the creek between Hay's Mill & the bridge, I went 

 yesterday there but could not see it again. However I hope to see 

 it before long. There was but one. I caught a Rough-wing Swallow 

 on her nest the other day. She had her nest in the abutment of Hays 

 Bridge; built of dried grass & had five young ones. I saw Black & 

 white creepers at the Mountain. I went to Sam Miller's last Saturday 

 to be at the cutting down of the Hawk's nest, but unfortunately 

 there was nothing but eggs. Will Penrose caught a young Sparrow- 

 hawk on the Balcony of Mr. Hamilton's house. It is very tame 

 already. You remember the crow's nest we were storming at the Pike 

 Pond. I went there a week or two ago and shot a fine Young crow out 

 of it. It made a splendid Meal for Bishop Doane. 12 By the by their 

 Reverences are both quite well, I made the stone coal box into a cage, 

 & took them in the cellar where they appear much more comfortable. 



Haupt the Plaster-miller at Alexander's dam brought me the 

 other day four young minks which they had killed in the Bark heap. 

 I tanned the skins of the whole four. . . 



Uncle William left here last Monday for Pittsburg, via canal. 

 There was a catfish caught at Wise's Bridge last week with set line, 

 measuring 20 inches long, 4 between the eyes & weighing 4^ Ibs. 

 It was not apparently either of our two well known species. 



12 One of their pet owls which, on account of their solemn ways, 

 were named after bishops. 



