sullivan was born in enfield, connecticut and as you child he was said to go into the ""woods with his violin and strike up a chorus among the birds"". he learned the songs of birds around the united states and began to write down their songs, whistle them and produce melodies. he performed for gatherings of the audubon societies. a review of a performance in january 1908 "an evening in birdland" given to members of the audubon society at the george washington university said: