58 THE CONDOR Vol. XXII 
a forested hill, and commanded a fine view of the distant Adirondack Moun- 
tains, with the fastnesses of which Merriam became acquainted as a boy, and 
which later inspired his ‘‘Mammals of the Adirondacks’’, one of the most not- 
able books of its kind ever published in this country. The location of Merri- 
am’s home and character of the surroundings were well calculated to stimu- 
late and gratify a love of nature, and to afford unlimited opportunities to the 
naturalist. 
ACQUAINTANCE WITH FLORENCE MERRIAM 
Florence Merriam, now Mrs. Vernon Bailey, though she had begun her 
college course, was then at home; but her footsteps were not yet fully set in 
the path which later was to bring her fame and make her so widely known as 
a successful author of bird hterature. She was familiar with the local species 
about her home and ever ready to act as guide to the haunt of any desired 
bird, but, although much interested in her brother’s collections, her personal 
predilections were for the study of the living bird over the stuffed specimen, 
and she was ever alert to urge the advantages of this method of study as 
against the less humane use of the shot-gun. Though a late, I am a sincere, 
convert to her creed, so far as my personal practice goes, and for a number of 
years | have found it impossible to kill birds, or, indeed, to take the life of any 
living creature. I believe that sentiments akin to these are rather common 
among naturalists and even sportsmen who are no longer young. As the end 
approaches, one is better able to appreciate the value and significance of life, 
of whatsoever form, and to desire to cherish rather than destroy it. 
VISIT DR. FISHER AT SING SING, NEW YORK 
On our way back to Washington, Dr. Merriam and I stopped for a day or 
two at Sing Sing to visit Dr. A. K. Fisher, where began another enduring 
friendship. Dr. Fisher was then engaged in making his fine collection of local 
birds. 
The division of ornithology of the Agricultural Department had been cre- 
ated July Ist of that year (1885), under the charge of Dr. Merriam with Dr. 
Fisher as assistant, and in the following November the work was transferred 
to Washington when both men became permanent residents of the city. For 
many years Dr. Fisher and I in our spare time collected birds in and around 
the District of Columbia. 
TAKE UP THE STUDY OF ROADSIDE BOTANY 
One can hardly study birds, even in a casual way, without desiring to know 
something of the surroundings amid which they are found, and the bird lover 
is pretty sure, sooner or later, to become something of a botanist. In the late 
seventies in Washington, being possessed of a good driving and riding horse, 
I took up the study of roadside botany with much enthusiasm, and soon ac- 
quired a speaking knowledge with al! the trees and shrubs of the District and 
adjoining country. Later I made collections of ferns, asters, and golden rods, 
and became reasonably familiar with these difficult groups. Study of the two 
last-named families took me several times to the Cambridge Herbarium where 
I found Dr. Asa Gray wonderfully kind and helpful. 7 
While I was not unfamiliar with Gray’s Manual, I found that the readiest 
means of acquiring botanical lore, as well as the pleasantest, was to take with 
me on my drives a skilled botanist. Professor Lester F. Ward was then prepar- 
ing the first edition of his ‘‘Guide to the Flora of Washington and Vicinity”’, 
