turn, he used often to catechize me for an hour
or so.

"On which side of the trees is the lighter-col-
ored bark? On which side do they have most
regular branches?"

It was his custom to let me name all the
new birds that I had seen during the day. I
would name them according to the color or
the shape of the bill or their song or the appearance
and locality of the nest--in fact, anything about
the bird that impressed me as characteristic. I
made many ridiculous errors, I must admit. He
then usually informed me of the correct name.
Occasionally I made a hit and this he would warm-
ly commend.

He went much deeper into this science when I
was a little older, that is, about the age of eight or
nine years. He would say, for instance:

"How do you know that there are fish in
yonder lake?"

"Because they jump out of the water for flies
at mid-day."

He would smile at my prompt but superficial
reply.