SAND DUNES AND SALT MARSHES 



silvery gray, varying to straw color, and again 

 to a rich chestnut, while rarely a patch of 

 brilliant orange appears under certain condi- 

 tions of light and moisture. 



" Another change subdues them in the Fall, 

 But saddens not; they still show merrier tints, 

 Though sober russet seems to cover all." 



Early in the morning in the wonderful days 

 of Indian summer, when the whole east is 

 aglow, the marsh is often white with hoar 

 frost, and each grass blade that crunches 

 under the foot sparkles as if beset with in- 

 numerable diamonds. As the sun rises from 

 the sea, the white veil dissolves and tiny drops 

 of water hang from every blade-tip. 



Later in the year, with the creeks lined and 

 for the most part coated with ice, with ice in 

 all the pools and sloughs, the marshes in their 

 patchwork dress of white and brown resemble 

 ptarmigans that are moulting from summer 

 to winter plumage. 



Again the scene shifts, and winter with its 

 white pall covers the marsh. The creeks are 

 fast bound, but expand and contract their 

 groaning bosoms with the flood and ebb. At 



202 



