Grass Flats

The understanding of nature was Ralph Simpson's consuming passion which he pursued with unmatched vigor and high spirits. In <I>Grass Flats 1890--1923</I> Simpson meticulously documents 218 species accounts of bird life in Warren County Pennsylvania including notes on other species observed at Presque Isle on Lake Erie. Simpson speaks of habitat preferences and population shifts while at the same time offering a view of the natural world with a bit of whimsy as in the following 1909 observations of the Screech Owl.</p> <p><I>I knew of an old Flicker's hole nearby and on going past I saw feathers about the edges so I investigated and found a Gray Screecher at home. She made no resistance so I reached in and counted five eggs under her petted her and left her.</I></p><p>Join this noted naturalist as he seeks adventure birding in the virgin timber of Wild Cat Run navigating a steep precipice in the wilds of Goshawk Basin or climbing 70 feet up a giant Eastern Hemlock to peer into a Sharp-shinned Hawk's nest. From his exploits Simpson learned early on that with nature every moment instructs. Simpson with feet on terra firma beckons you to his stomping ground--<I>Grass Flats.</I></p>