Thoreau writes in his journal:
A chewink’s nest with four young just hatched, at the bottom of the hyrola hollow and grove, where it is so dry, about seven feet southwest of a white pine . . .
Thoreau writes to Calvin Greene:
You are right in supposing that I have not been Westward. I am very little of a traveller. I am gratified to hear of the interest you take in my books; it is additional encouragement to write more of them. Though my pen is not idle, I have not published anything for a couple of years at least. I like a private life, & cannot bear to have the public in my mind.
You will excuse me for not responding more heartily to your notes, since I realize what an interval there always is between the actual & imagined author, & feel that it would not be just for me to appropriate the sympathy and good will of my unseen readers.
Nevertheless, I should like to meet you, & if I ever come into your neighborhood shall endeavor to do so . Cant you tell the world o£ your life also? Then I shall know you, at least as well as you me.
Yrs truly
Henry D. Thoreau
