THE INVITATION 203 



In all excursions to the woods or to the shore, 

 the student of ornithology has an advantage over 

 his companions. He has one more resource, one 

 more avenue of delight. He, indeed, kills two 

 birds with one stone and sometimes three. If 

 others wander, he can never go out of his way. 

 His game is everywhere. The cawing of a crow 

 makes him feel at home, while a new note or a new 

 song drowns all care. Audubon, on the desolate 

 coast of Labrador, is happier than any king ever 

 was; and on shipboard is nearly cured of his sea- 

 sickness when a new gull appears in sight. 



One must taste it to understand or appreciate its 

 fascination. The looker-on sees nothing to inspire 

 such enthusiasm. Only a little feathers and a half- 

 musical note or two; why all this ado? "Who 

 would give a hundred and twenty dollars to know 

 about the birds 1 " said an Eastern governor, half 

 contemptuously, to Wilson, as the latter solicited 

 a subscription to his great work. Sure enough. 

 Bought knowledge is dear at any price. The most 

 precious things have no commercial value. It is 

 not, your Excellency, mere technical knowledge of 

 the birds that you are asked to purchase, but a new 

 interest in the fields and woods, a new moral and 

 intellectual tonic, a new key to the treasure-house 

 of nature. Think of the many other things your 

 Excellency would get, the air, the sunshine, the 

 healing fragrance and coolness, and the many re- 

 spites from the knavery and turmoil of political 

 life. 



