i8o 
THE GUIDE TO NATURE 
possibilities of the future through a better 
knowledge of nature. It is evident from 
reading various notices of the book that 
everything that Mr. Wells writes calls out 
a host of unfavorable critics but it must 
be encouraging to him and the publishers to 
note that it brings a much larger host of 
purchasers and readers. 
Everyday Adventures. By Samuel Scoville, 
Jr. Boston, Massachusetts: The Atlan- 
tic Monthly Press. Price $3.00. 
Here is a delight for the outdoor rambler 
at all times of the year. The author is a 
real, all-the-year-round naturalist. He is not 
limited to the burst of spring nor to the 
vacation days of July and August. He 
proves this in his chapters in the early part 
of the book on "Zero Birds” and "Snow 
Stories.” The book is an enjoyable one, 
“You ask me to tell you when I first be- 
came interested in nature study. I think that 
I have always been interested in out-of-door 
subjects. When I lived in Stamford as a 
boy I spent most of my time in exploring 
the woods and the Sound and in enjoying 
little adventures with the wild folk whom I 
met, and I have kept this up ever since. 
After I left college and started to practice 
law in New York I still lived in Stamford 
and used to take long walks after dark, that 
being the only time that I had to get out 
of doors, and have often explored all of your 
country around Sound Beach late at night 
both winter and summer. Personally I be- 
lieve that if one will learn their way into 
the world of the wild folk they will add a 
great happiness to their lives. A little 
knowledge of the birds and flowers and 
trees and animals keeps one out of doors 
and keeps one so interested that he never 
“FLYER— THE SQUIRREL.” 
Cut from “Everyday Adventures” by courtesy of The Atlantic Monthly Press. 
written in a delightfully simple and interest- 
ing style without any attempt to be technical 
or rhetorical. It takes nature just as the 
author has found her, detailing first one 
thing and then something different, yet there 
is a line of consecutive thought so that the 
book is not at all scrappy. The illustrations 
are from some of the best nature photog- 
raphers of the country. 
Mr. Scoville Formerly Lived in Stamford. 
In response to a letter of inquiry from 
the editor of this magazine Mr. Samuel Sco- 
ville. Jr., wrote as follows: 
"I formerly lived in Stamford but was 
never a member of The Agassiz Association 
although I believe my brother belonged. 
finds time to grow old. 
“I think I still know all the country be- 
tween Greenwich and South Norwalk and 
could find my way blindfolded all around 
Stamford and Sound Beach. One of my best 
fishing ranges in the Sound was Horse Neck 
Steeple over the north chimney of Deacon 
Ford's house in Sound Beach and the Yale 
and Towne chimney in the first gap among 
the trees at the end of Davenport’s Point. 
It was called Decker’s Ground and was a 
wonderful place for blackfish. I have no 
doubt the reef is still there although perhaps 
the ranges are gone. 
“Give my love to all the wild folk who live 
in your part of the world and to all the 
tame folk who have learned their secrets.” 
