It's just what you've wished for. Birds that won't fly away, no matter how long you look at them.

They can be found in Pawling, at the Akin Free Library. In the basement of the Library is the Olive Gunnison Natural History Museum, which includes about 200 mounted birds.

There is a case of about 40 birds collected in the Millerton area. Those are the only local ones.

The rest of the birds are from all over.

I found the case with the Ivory-billed, Pileated, and Three-toed Woodpeckers especially interesting.

There is also an extensive egg and nest collection.

These mounts are quite old and some show their age. But most are in remarkably good shape.

Currently the library and museum are open 2-4pm Thursday thru Sunday from mid-May thru mid-October. I'd suggest calling 855-5099 to check before you go. When the library is closed, a tape tells you the hours.

To get to the library, take Quaker Hill Road (CR 67) east from Route. 22 in Pawling. Follow it until it ends at CR 66, Mizzentop Road. Turn right. The library is the stone building down the road on your left.