CHAPTER IV 

 LIFE RECORD OF A NATURALIST 



IN a paper written for the Maine Ornithological Union 

 and which was read at its meeting held January 27, 

 1898, Mr. Boardman gives an entertaining account of 

 the incidents which led to his becoming a naturalist, in 

 which he answers the question often asked, "What gave 

 him so great an interest in the study of birds while in 

 the management of a large business." His reply in 

 brief was that he believed every business man should 

 have some favorite pursuit or hobby. "I think young 

 people," he says, "should study natural history — incul- 

 cate in the minds of the boys and girls a regard for the 

 beautiful in nature, whether of flower, insect, fish or 

 bird; awaken an interest in such studies as botany or 

 ornithology. How often we meet those with idle brains 

 who do not know how to kill time. Such investigations 

 would be a great stimulus." He then relates that in 

 December, 1840, he made a business trip to the South 

 American coast and the West India islands. The firm 

 of which he had been a partner but two years was 

 largely engaged in sending lumber to those parts and it 

 was thought best that Mr. Boardman should go there, 



