THE WILDERNESS IN JUNE 273 



himself, and for a time seems quite able to hold 

 his owTi. 



But after a few moments of strenuous resist- 

 ance he seems discouraged at their numbers and 

 takes wing, clumsily making his way among the 

 treetops, half blinded in the strong light. His 

 retreat is the signal for redoubled efforts on the 

 part of the Jays, and they fairly swarm about 

 him in his flight, soon forcing him to perch 

 again. Here the attack is continued, and again 

 he seeks safety in flight. As I proceed far dowTi 

 the trail I hear his fierce battlecry; but I sus- 

 pect that with the coming of darkness when his 

 full powers of vision return there will be quick 

 scattering among his noisy tormentors. 



In the lowlands the Thrushes are voicing 

 their evening hymns and about First Pond the 

 White-throats are singing their farewells to the 

 day. The cabin is reached with a deep sense 

 of satisfaction in the events of the day. 



During a month's stay in the forest sixty- 

 eight varieties of birds were fully identified. 

 Glimpses of several other Warblers were had, 

 but so fleeting that it was not possible to posi- 

 tively name them. No doubt there are eighty 

 or more varieties there, a wonderful chorus you 

 may be sure, heard by few besides the wild 

 folk themselves. Yet were the birds the only 

 attraction of the wilderness, it is sufficient to 

 make delightful a long visit to its sheltering 

 depths. 



