New-York tribune., 1902-06-08
WITH JOHN BURROUGHS
x,rrpE CLASS VISITS SLABSIDES-
DAY AMONG THE HAUNTS OF The
POET-NATURALIST.

1obr Burroughs was lat home on a recent day
-. NJ Jobn I. Northrop and her University Exten-
to- class Of the Normal College Alumne. Ihere
zrare twenty in the party. which was composed
.;nlv oT TaIic school and NCrr3al college, s'each-
- they left West Forty-second-st. at AS a. m,
.n5 reached West Park, N Y. about two hours
-. .s r17a class alighted at the West Park
sts+fon an elderly man with snow white hair and
resra WIS waiting on the steps lie wore Drown
80 s,,it whose tones and lines had been subdued
bv rain and shine. He was recognized at once aS
,ba atUralist and the host OF the day
!. .-ss ona of the DAYS when all nature Is at its
,est with clear. blue sky and cooling breeze ano
= the Marty followed its leader across the raliioao
"a = country road generously shaded Win 10"
,a,crirg trees the air filled with bird song
The first halt was made when plump dun-eoi-
80 rir5 with speckled breast hoped across the
.-av sn6 stopped to inspect the worm market
.eEzov many Of YOU know what bird that is?'
asked Nr Burroughs. Not soul repheo unII
Mrs Northrop 10 the rescue anu eAPlaiheo
+h.+ - was q Young robin which had not yet at
+.ra5 n the distinctive red breast of its tribe
The bird in question. Mr. Burroughs said had neen
orr n its nest only three or four days, and he
added that the robins first coat always mas q
specked breast :,
Think OF itt' nuttered one Of the teachers
felt s,,re that the robin the one bird or my
ACQUAINTANCE that 1 could recognize anywhere
RrRDs ARE LIKE CHILDREN.
D.. 1i+tIa further on the master of bird music
heard two or three notes which ne lnterpreaeu as
Bridget Bridget which Is III W men - IL 80
as The marty ioined him at the meado" renee uioef
mild cherry tree the song ceased II Is always
- nv 81. said Mr. Burroughs. when am alone
an, sfre 10 hear the bright, voluble song OF Inc
white eyed vireo at this spot But II nave cott1
many not note viii he sing MY pros are Hfe
cbil6ren They will not show of" Mr- Burroughs
added that in powers Of imitation the whlte eyeu
80 has no rivals among Northern birds Although
NOT entirely accurate in his reproductions ne sus
Eests the notes OF the highhole, Wren caloiiU,
robin and goldfnch- The song sparrow Is lInlta'eu
so cleverlv that the bird itself might be oeceINeu'
while the bird does not reveal itself TO us auol
.,ce Mr. burroughs detects in the strain OIL the
bita eyed vireo a conscious air. and believes tha'
Sc hest performances given only when II Is sure
Of aprreciative hearers 1t, ~
~ eel5 snarrow the bluebird and, robin are
- T,,rr,,,ol1s.s favorites A field sparrow. known
F the TWO white lateral quilts in its ta hlIteo oE
and sang sweet, plaintive song
Further up the road. in a hemlock tree. a oFlli-
ian+Iv attired Blackburnian warbler sang and sang
,Inrnindful Of his hearers. Through the glass his
tabit could be plainly seen. The back was OF
zarieeated black and white. and the throat breast
and crown with e line over the eye, were OF name
color.
The sound of the spring note of the chickadee
was ore of the wayside events, and a glimpse OF
IN orioles nest was another
As If TO try the mettle Of his guests MI Bur
roughs paused at an opening in the WOODS whlch
ned side Of the road ana asked whether Nile@
would prefer TO continue the road TO "Siabsloes
or take short cut through the woods
THE short cut, by all means" answered Mrs
Northrop '.and the more fences and stone walls
the better They are used to weekly field days with
me- and never dare say word"
From that point the ramblings of the day re-
solved themselves into a game Of follow the
leader" and often led through dense woodland
maths I'D steep hills, sometimes over bald rocks
and once or twice along bIadeIike edges which the
leader trod as lightly he would city's pave
Inent Indeed, his followers had all they could do
20 keep up.
The visitor who hopes TO Mr.. BURROUGHS
treasure trove, but expects 10 find 1t easily in
Slabsides or the Study. will be wofully dis
appointed. for his prizes scattered through
Black Creek Valley and over the foothills which
surround it. Only long walks and arduous climbs
viii reveal his treasures. Such trip is worth
while with who knows his hills and valleys as
hibliophile does his tones, and who turns back
the dead leaves beneath and the branches over
head 70 displays natures secrets readily
student turns the pages of his books.
HOUSEKEEPING IN SLABSIDES.
Slabsides the summer "den" of Mr.. Burroughs.
is built or q side hill the edge of his vegetable
garden 1t is constructed. its indicates, OF
bark covered slabs in the rough. The front is
raised poles 4 level with the rear, and has a
bread vine covered porch, made Of cedar poles
Much OF the work, both inside and out, done
by Mr. Burroughs himself II was built six years
ago.
The mouse IS a story and half high. the first
aoor consisting Of one room about eighteen feet