330 The Field Naturalist 's Quarterly November 



wild life — to be in every sense of the term a true field 

 naturalist, endeavouring to gain information and learn 

 lessons therefrom — is one which everyone should pursue 

 with pleasure and profit. Nature is so wonderful, her store 

 of treasures so great, her workings so magnificent and awe- 

 inspiring, that one should speak or write of her with 

 reverence. 



Prejudiced, I take it, most of us are with respect to the 

 particular hobby or study in which we may be engaged ; 

 but, to my mind, it is a bounden duty for everyone possess- 

 ing a degree of intelligence to learn something of the natural 

 history of our beloved country, or at any rate to appreciate 

 the same. 



As to how to become a field naturalist, and more 

 particularly as to how one became such, probably most of 

 my fellows have most varied experiences to relate. En- 

 vironment, taste, ability, enthusiasm, opportunity, education, 

 determination, and perseverance are each important factors. 

 But, not the least of these, is to have inculcated and nurtured 

 a love for nature when the mind is young, when one first 

 arrives at the understanding stage, and to be so taught that 

 the interest at once takes an intelligent form rather than one 

 of destruction. 



We British are indeed a sporting nation. So soon as 

 we can walk or run, the cricket bat is handled, the ball 

 tossed in the air, the football is kicked, the fly thrown to 

 lure the wary trout, the gun shouldered, the tennis racket 

 skilfully manoeuvred, the billiard cue deftly manipulated, 

 the boat rowed ; and one might enlarge. Yet it is an 

 indisputable fact that in these days something beyond these 

 is required for our quiet needs ; we should aspire towards 

 some ideal ; some stimulant is necessary. Why not, then, 

 take your staff in your hand, notebook in pocket, camera and 

 field-glass, and go direct to nature, walk with her trustfully 

 and well, scorning nothing, searching always for knowledge 

 at her ever-flowing fountain ? 



This is an eventful age ; life now is at such high tension 

 that, unless quietly relieved, there is a severe danger of over- 

 straining. Something is required to give relief. Why not, 

 to obtain such, go to the great book of nature herself, 



