CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 51 
One was somewhat like the two we killed, though a little different. 
The other was entirely Black with a yellowish belly & undertail. 
It was very large, about 34 inches long, & I met it in a field at the 
foot of the mountain. It is undoubtedly a different species from the 
others. Send me if you can the specific characters of H. Platyrhinos, 
& the varieties if there be any. I should like the specific characters 
of as many of our reptiles as possible. A few days ago Tom caught 
an Agama Undulata? on our front step, and J saw another at the 
mountain. You recollect what Swainson says about the faculty 
possessed by Lizards of being charmed, so upon seeing this one on 
a fence, I commenced whistling a beautiful tune when it stopped, 
opened its mouth, cocked its head to one side, and drank in the 
divine melody as if it never could get enough. I could not succeed 
in killing it however. 
I have at last seen the Republican Swallow. I met it last week 
when fishing; up the creek between Hay’s Mill & the bridge, I went 
yesterday there but could not see it again. However I hope to see 
it before long. There was but one. I caught a Rough-wing Swallow 
on her nest the other day. She had her nest in the abutment of Hays 
Bridge; built of dried grass & had five young ones. I saw Black & 
white creepers at the Mountain. I went to Sam Miller’s last Saturday 
to be at the cutting down of the Hawk’s nest, but unfortunately 
there was nothing but eggs. Will Penrose caught a young Sparrow- 
hawk on the Balcony of Mr. Hamilton’s house. It is very tame 
already. You remember the crow’s nest we were storming at the Pike 
Pond. I went there a week or two ago and shot a fine Young crow out 
of it. It made a splendid Meal for Bishop Doane.” By the by their 
Reverences are both quite well, I made the stone coal box into a cage, 
& took them in the cellar where they appear much more comfortable. 
Haupt the Plaster-miller at Alexander’s dam brought me the 
other day four young minks which they had killed in the Bark heap. 
I tanned the skins of the whole four. ‘ 
Uncle William left here last Monday for Pittsburg, via canal. 
There was a catfish caught at Wise’s Bridge last week with set line, 
measuring 20 inches long, 4 between the eyes & weighing 4% lbs. 
It was not apparently either of our two well known species. 
12 One of their pet owls which, on account of their solemn ways, 
were named after bishops. 
