THE BIRD DIARY 189 



of an oak. Though I had some slight com- 

 punction in shooting them down, I went away 

 with the conviction that the waders along the 

 shore, the ducks in the shallows, and the grouse 

 and hares in the thickets would all sleep sounder 

 for my deed. 



To-day it becomes necessary to record that 

 the ground squirrels have deserted me. Their 

 feasting and fighting are over for the season, and 

 the den in the cherry clump henceforth holds 

 their secrets. 



Aug. 30. Five sharp-shins were around camp 

 to-day, and again all escaped. Several times, 

 without warning, they darted into the grove, 

 struck right and left at any bird found there, 

 and then made a quick departure. I found the 

 body of a poor catbird, with head and neck eaten 

 off and the tail pulled out, lying below the trees, 

 and have no hesitancy in charging the crime to 

 their account. 



Aug. 31. Celebrated the last day of a glori- 

 ous month by canoeing across the lake with a 

 friend, to troll for pike. The day was complete, 

 but the evening was one to stay long in memory. 

 The tall, plumed reed-fringes of the creek, now 

 all red, brown, and yellow in their autumn tints. 



