After all, I long to be in America again, nay, if I can go home to return no more to Europe, it seems to me that I shall ever enjoy more peace of mind, and even Physical comfort than I can meet with in any portion of the world beside.

I never for a day gave up listening to the songs of our birds, or watching their peculiar habits, or delineating them in the best way I could.

I cannot help but think a curious event is this life of mine.

Hunting, fishing, drawing, and music occupied my every moment. Cares I knew not, and cared naught about them.

How could I make a little book, when I have seen enough to make a dozen large books?

Duruing all these years there existed within me a tendency to follow Nature in her walks.

But hopes are Shy Birds flying at a great distance seldom reached by the best of Guns.

Because my father was often absent on naval duty, my mother suffered me to do much as I pleased.

Almost every day, instead of going to school, I made for the fields, where I spent my day.

A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.

I waged war against my feelings.

I feel fully decided that we should all go to Europe together and to work as if an established Partnership for Life consisting of Husband Wife and Children.

As I grew up I was fervently desirous of becoming acquainted with Nature.

Would it be possible that I should not in any degree succeed? I can scarcely think so. Ah delusive hope, how much further wilt thou lead me?

I can scarcely manage to scribble a tolerable English letter. I know that I am not a scholar, but meantime I am aware that no man living knows better than I do the habits of our birds.