NATURE GUIDING AT HOME 239 



one species of tree, bird, or animal, while gather- 

 ing incidental information, is a good plan to 

 practise. This idea may be extended over several 

 trips. The nature guide should be a good all- 

 round guide in natural history, and he may also 

 be an expert concerning tree life, the beaver, 

 butterflies, or geology. 



The essential of nature guiding is a thorough 

 understanding of something, and the ability to 

 transfer this information clearly, entertainingly, 

 to others. A guide must be able to talk not 

 too much and in talking, say things in the right 

 way. A guide, if he really knows principles, will 

 be able to talk to one person in the field, or to 

 many; he will rapidly learn to address those who 

 listen around the camp-fire, or in a hall; or to 

 write so that his ideas will be read by thousands. 



Several times I have gone along as a nature 

 guide in a region that I did not know, and re- 

 ceived three times the wage of the other guide 

 who knew only the way, and how to camp. 

 People of all ages enjoy hearing the real facts con- 

 cerning outdoor things. In Kansas City years 

 ago a boy who was the son of a millionaire 

 guided me among the bluffs and along the river. 

 He did not charge for guiding. He was planning 

 to be a farmer; he was a live, happy boy, and 

 what he had learned outdoors had done more to 

 develop him than all other experiences. 



