1903 Why F am a Field Naturalist 329 



indifferent observers, and more especially to young and 

 growing children. 



Why am I a field naturalist? Those of my brother 

 naturalists who may chance to read this unpretentious 

 sketch will, I feel sure, appreciate my remark that the keen 

 delights of being a worshipper and student at the shrine of 

 nature, and the interesting and useful information which 

 may be gained thereby, are so fascinating that to write down 

 an absolutely faithful representation of one's thoughts and 

 feelings is quite impossible ! 



But, having asked the question, I must perforce supply 

 an answer, poor though the attempt at correctly portraying 

 such may be. 



I am a field naturalist because I am a staunch disciple 

 in the belief that both mentally and physically one gains 

 thereby, and to me the very fact of knowing something of 

 what one sees and hears during a ramble in the country is 

 of inestimable good, where the mere exercise of walking or 

 feats of pedestrianism would alone be considered by many 

 visitors to, and residents at, the countryside. 



And it is not solely because of the fact that one knows 

 the voice or flight of a bird ; the colour and character of a 

 flower or tree ; the various nature-painted butterflies which 

 toy upon the wing ; the beetles which cross the path in the 

 sunlight, some of them glittering like veritable jewels ; there 

 is more still in the fact that nature is inexhaustible : her 

 treasures are so many, her store of wonders so vast, that the 

 more one learns, the more there is to learn, and one is ever 

 yearning for further information of these wild creatures and 

 things, simply revelling in them and craving for knowledge — 

 knowledge ! 



The field naturalist has no boundary-line ; his field of 

 observation knows no limit. He may roam the whole world 

 over during the course of his studies, or he may simply 

 devote his attention to the nearest lane or coppice, meadow 

 or heath, lake or streamlet ; even to the inhabitants of, and 

 visitors to, his own little garden, or the nearest refuse-heap, — 

 all are equally interesting, and have some wondrous story to 

 unfold, and some life-story waiting to unravel. 



To me the careful and intelligent study of our British 



