YOUTH 31 



Long before this the farm in Washington Val- 

 ley had been sold, but curiously enough this farm 

 where I spent the summer was not only in Wash- 

 ington Valley, but adjoined the place I knew best 

 in my childhood. Here I began to renew my 

 acquaintance with the country I had not been in 

 for several years. I tramped up and down the 

 old brook, saw the spotted sandpipers and green 

 herons, became acquainted with the wood-thrushes 

 and catbirds, tried in vain to see the whippoor- 

 wills, which I heard singing every night, and 

 saw besides many birds I did not know, but 

 which nevertheless made a lasting impression 

 upon me. 



Uncle Dick did not like boys to shoot anything 

 in the way of song-birds, and so these were undis- 

 turbed ; but he let me have his gun, and I was 

 allowed — if I could get near enough — to kill 

 spotted sandpipers and green herons or crows. 

 During these hunting trips I saw many things. 



At this time my interest was concentrated upon 

 the accumulation of a collection. I wanted the 

 things so that I could look at them at my leisure 

 and convenience, and see and study them when- 

 ever so disposed, also to satisfy my aesthetic crav- 

 ing. But even then I believe I did not care 

 for a collection for the sake and glory of owning 

 it ; it was simply because I wanted the things 

 available. 



