68 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



We little think that any time we walk in our gi'ounds and 

 gardens we are intruding upon rare and elegant visitants from 

 Mexico, Central South America, Florida and the islands of the 

 sea, but such is the case, and one that passes through life with- 

 out a knowledge of the feathered creatures constantly surround- 

 ing him, in the fields and woods, rendered vocal with their songs, 

 watching the patience and care in providing for their young, loses 

 one of the chief means by which his own existence might be made 

 more cheerful, happy and contented and fails to understand one of 

 the most pleasing and attractive of the creations of Omnipotence. 

 How important for the sportsman to know the history and habits 

 of his feathered friends so as not be let to slaughter them out of 

 season. And the agriculturist, after failing crops and barren fields, 

 only learns the errors he has committed in the destruction of his 

 little help mates, by tlie life and vigor it has given to the grubs 

 and insects that now overrun his fields. Our English friends 

 1 think are much in advance of us in their papers upon Natural 

 Science. But now with the help of the Forest and Stream which 

 I liope may go into everj^ family, w^e may try to surpass our 

 English friends in the study of natural science and laiow the 

 benefits of out-door recreation and physical culture. 



In the spring of 1874 Mr. Boardman made a trip to 

 California, leaving home March 2, bearing an introduc- 

 tion from Prof. Spencer F. Baird of the Smithsonian 

 Institution. In sending this letter of introduction to Mr. 

 Boardman, Prof. Baird writes : "I hope this will bring 

 you in communication with the scientifics of that state. 

 Dall is there, having just returned from the South coast 

 and will be very glad to see you. I hope you will return 

 by way of Washington so as to give us an account of 

 your adventures. Please pick up whatever you can for 

 us of rare birds and eggs, Indian relics and the like." 

 Enclosed in the letter is a list of persons to whom the 

 introduction was to be presented. Among them were : 

 R. E. C. Stearns, I.W. Raymond, Prof. George Davidson, 



