Evening star., 1944-07-13
This and That
BIZ Charles f. TracereN.

Many persons genuinely interested in
the birds nevertheless go on too much
about identification. We were reminded
of this the other day in looking over
Walt Wnitmans Specimen DAYS In
America"
Il hear the woodpecker." he said. and
night and early morning the shuttle OF
the whip poor will, at moons the gurRle
OF the thrush and the mewing Of the
cstbird.
Many cannot name, but do not
very particularly seek information. You
must not know too much, or be too pre-
else, or scientific, about birds and trees
and flowers and water craft: certain
free margin, and even vagueness-per-
enjoyment of these things, and Of the
sentiment OF feathered wooded, river or
marine nature generally.
L repeat lt-don't want to know too
exactly or the reasons why. NV own
notes have been written otf-hand in the
latitude OF Middle New Jersey Though
they describe what I saw-what ap-
peared to me-I dare say the expert
ornithologist, botanist or entomologist
will detect more than one slip in them"
Whitman, of course, was a sloppy old
fellow who actually didn't like to be
correct, either in dress, department or
observation
The man who wrote, II lean and loaf
at my ease, observing a blade of sum-
mer grass" could not have been ex-
pected to be keenly interested in scien-
tific names and the like. Or even the
correct common names of birds He
just didn't care. To him they made
no difference
So We cannot take his warning" as
he calls 1t, too seriously, but We believe
1t has merit, especially for those per-
sons who are obscessed with wishing to
know the right name.
We do not mean that one shouldn't
know and feel sure that Whitman felt
the same way, but that one may carry
the desire to know, in certain cases,
much too far for enjoyment.
In other words, the correct identifica-
ton OF bird does not matter as much
as the enjoyment of the bird
Secure the maximum OF human graft
hcation out OF watching 1t, in observing
its habits. in listening to it. If of
scientific turn of mind, by going on to
ind out all you can about it. Whitman
Is not for you, nor his cautions
But If you are just an average human
being, with an appreciation of bird life,
and some little understanding of what
they mean to us. even when they do not
eat all the insects which we expect them
to, then forget to worry over the name,
either scientific or common.
We meet human beings constantly in
public places whom we recognize as hav-
ing seen before. Often they look at us.
We never speak, and 1t doesn't seem
necessary. We never think to ask their
name, or they ours No doubt it makes
no difference.
1t Is the same with our bird friends.
Do not worry too much about what
BIRD Is that" at any time. 1t may be
realized that the Whitman warning was
to such persons as actually permit the
worrying over such matters to take away
from their enjoyment of nature.
His thesis was that 1t is better to be
Ignorant and appreciate. than to know
and not be in love with life.
Its hitch comes, of course, when one
Is able both to know and to appreciate
at the same time. Most persons, whether
sclentlhc minded or not, are in this
enviahle position at times
The warning OF the good gray poet"
will apply mostly to those determined
souls who make music thing of fire.
quencies, instead Of melodies, and bird
matters pure speculation rather than
love. wonder, amusement and ad-
miration.