Page:Condor15(2).djvu/25

 Mar., 1913 ALLAN BROOKSAN APPRECIATION 75 a dozen scientific names glibly, we were more than pleased. In like manner, a crab dissected at luncheon (with maybnnaise) was noted as so and so .major or principalis, as the case might be. Casual mention of a butterfly led to quick in- quiry as to species. a question I was helpless to answer. A local bird-man, Rathbun, having been called in by the customs authorities for cousaltation i: reference to a seizure .of Japanese birds, mentioned the matter afterward in Brooks's presence. He pricked up his ears at once and there was .oon an animated discussion on as to whether so and so of these absent exotics might have been gordoni or japponic:s. Nor is it in the reahn of nature alone that our artist shows a. keen interest and a retentive memory. Art, music, literature. are alike familiar grounds, and one wonders where a single gentleman very much devoted to sport out of doors, ever found time for all these things. Fig. 20. HIGH TIDE: LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS AT REST From a photograph. copyr/ght, 1913. by W. L. Dawson The only accomplishment in which Brooks will frankly admit a proficiency is in cooking. This is evidently a legitimate subject for bachelor pride, in vie, of the inevitable thrusts aimed by us over-confident family men. But Brooks is immorously boastful of his triumphs in the. culinary art, and to judge from his account of the swarms of visitors, prospectors, amateur sportsmen, and the like, who share his bachelor hospitality at C)kanagan Landing, there must be a good deal in it. In fact I gathered that one reason for his willingness to quit the Okanagan country for the winter was a desire to shake some of these fair fodder friends and devote himself more assiduously to his art. And really, the amenities of human intercourse, however sweet, mus?. give place at times to family cares, with the nmn who is wedded both to ar and nature. When the claims of friendship become too exacting, there is nothing for it but to ake to the woods, and this Brooks does for at least two months in every year. Of course he takes a friend with him, if one can be found who will hold up to his