THE YOUNG OOLOGIST. 



I cannot describe the feelings tliat welled 

 up into m\' throat and nearly caused the 

 unbidden tear to come, as I recalled much 

 that I had read of the struggles of poor 

 Wilson, with what courage and persistency 

 he pursued his studies of birds amidst the 

 most disheartening circumstances. I 

 thought of how he had enjoyed the shelter 

 of this primitive house, the shade of these 

 very trees. How his eye must have de- 

 lighted in the beautiful landscape, follow- 

 ing the lazy Schuylkill on its road to the 

 broad Delaware. What splendid facilities 

 must have been afforded his mind and 

 directed his pen in the accomplishment of 

 his great work by this -veritable Acadia, 

 God's garden spot. Numberless species of 

 trees and flowers flourished here, and to 

 this day, although the place has received 

 no gardener's attention for many years, are 

 found evidences of its botanical wealth. 

 For four hours I wandered about, drinking 

 in everything, and associating with every 

 object the writings and experiences of 

 Wilson. The place has changed sadly of 

 late, the property having changed owners 

 several times, until in 1850, ilr. Eastwick. 

 an American gentleman who had acquired 

 a vast fortune by Russian contracts, pur- 

 chased it and erected just to the west of 

 the Bartram house, and within 200 feet of 

 it, a magnificent castle of treacherous and 

 perishable sandstone, A succession of ter 

 races beautify the slope running from the 

 house down a gentle incline for a consider 

 able distance, until washed by the water.s 

 of an artificial lake, two large couchani 

 lions of cast bronze guard the head of the 

 stone stairways leading from the top ter 

 race down, on both sides. Fiue trees were 

 planted, conservatories were established 

 and labyrinths of imported grape vines 

 now uncared for and occup3'ing a position 

 to the west and just in front of the house, 

 attest to its master's love of this culture — 

 everything betokens the most lavish out- 

 lay. This castle is now unoccupied, as is 

 the Bartram house, except by the watch 

 man's family, and is rapidly falling to 

 pieces ; in fact everything is in a state ol 

 wanton neglect and semi-decay. How 



strange that this noble pile, whose lofty 

 tower frowned down, as if in derision, on 

 its humbler neighbor, the Bartram house, 

 should be the first to crumble to dust, 

 while the older house is as firm and intact, 

 apparently-, as the day it was built. Here 

 every season innumerable birds build their 

 nests and lay their eggs, rearing their 

 young unmolested, owing to watchful and 

 ever faithful human and brute attendants. 

 Lucky indeed is the collector whose cabi- 

 net contains a nest and eggs taken from 

 within the precincts of this historic enclo- 

 sure. It will not be long before the entire 

 place is leveled and graded to be made into 

 building lots and cobbled thoroughfares, 

 the increasing population and the city's 

 rapid growth westward demanding it. A 

 movement was on foot some time since 

 among Bartram's descendants to purchase 

 and retain the place, but I believe it never 

 assumed definite proportions. The indica- 

 tions are that the city will run streets 

 tlirough within a year. 



I have numbered among my friends for 

 many years a lineal descendant of John 

 Bartram, and to her I am indebted for 

 many reminiscences and much tluit I know 

 concerning the place. Through the kind- 

 ness of a grandson of the late Mr. East- 

 wick I enjoy the privilege of an abundant 

 entrance to these gardens whenever I make 

 an occasional pilgrimage to the spot. 



The people of Philadelphia generally 

 have no conception of the veneration in 

 which this place is held all over the world, 

 a veneration which increases as the world 

 grows older. It is really the birthplace of 

 American Botany and American Ornith- 

 ology, and all lovers of Alexander Wilson 

 will regret its destruction. 



Harry G. Parker, 



Chester, Pa. 



Notes from Kansas. 



Prof. L,- — For several years' personal 

 observation. I have not yet seen a Shrike 

 puring the summer months. Many thanks 

 for correcting error. Nest found by me 

 was that of the Shore Lark, found on 

 March 25, 1884. In looking over the list 

 of large sets, I found a set of Cat-bird, 

 six eggs, also a set of Purple JIartin, with 

 six eggs. G. F. B., Seattle, Kan. 



