CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 57 
author of the Zoology of New York, and especially the 
Audubons. 
Among the lecturers at the hospital was Dr. Torrey, 
the botanist and chemist, who lectured on chemistry; 
and whom he saw, December 1, administer nitrous oxide 
(laughing) gas as an anesthetic, then a novelty. 
Audubon impressed upon him the importance of 
being able to draw natural objects, and for some time 
gave him lessons in drawing and coloring. 
The Journal records, December 8, that he went to 
see Fanny Ellsler at the Park theater; where she danced 
“La Bayadere” and “La Cachuca”; and came away 
“much disappointed.” 
He also frequented the library and attended meetings 
at the New York Lyceum of Natural History and was 
regular in his attendance at church, though visiting 
impartially the various churches of the city. 
He met at Bell’s J. P. Giraud, who took him to see 
his private collection of birds, which Baird thought the 
finest he had ever seen. 
The following letter to his brother gives some idea of 
his ceaseless activities: 
From Spencer F. Baird to William M. Baird. 
New York. Dec. 20. 1841. 
Dear WILL, 
I received your letter some time ago and would have answered 
it sooner but for some circumstances too numerous to mention. 
Among them was the fact that I had been promised some birds and 
I waited until I could tell you what they were. I have made a great 
haul lately in that line. I have obtained skins of Black bellied 
Plover, Piping & Ring Plover, Turnstone; Both Species of Godwits, 
Oyster Catcher, Buff Breasted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, 
Sanderling, Red Phalarope, Red Breasted Snipe, Long Billed & 
