THE WILDERNESS IN JUNE 239 



Other of the wild folk look out upon us, but their 

 instinctive wariness keeps them within the shel- 

 ter of the thicket. 



Five minutes' walk from the clearing is a small 

 pond, a dozen acres or so in extent, its low 

 shores bordered with a rank growth of reeds and 

 sedge-grass. This is known as First Pond and in 

 summer is a favorite haunt of deer that seek 

 relief in the cool water from the attack of flies 

 and gnats while feeding upon the lush grasses 

 and tender twigs along its shores. 



Just beyond First Pond, and reached by a 

 trail leading over a spruce ridge, is another pond 

 much larger but very shallow throughout the 

 greater part of its extent. This is known as 

 Second Pond and is a favorite feeding ground 

 for moose. So secluded is it that during all hours 

 of the day they venture to wade far out, greedily 

 tearing from the bottom the great roots of the 

 yellow lily that there grows in profusion. The 

 waters of both ponds and the river are inhabited 

 by many trout which are eagerly sought by 

 such disciples of the rod as make their way to 

 this sylvan retreat. 



Here, too, dwell many feathered folk — perma- 

 nent residents accustomed to a life remote from 

 the regular haunts of men, and summer vis- 

 itors, many of whom have journeyed from the 

 far distant tropics in search of a secluded nest- 

 ing ground. On my arrival in earl}' June I was 

 much impressed by the great number of birds, 

 and also by the many strangers of w^hich I had 

 caught but a fleeting glimpse, or had not seen 

 at all in my observation during the migration 



