28 JUNE IN FRANCONIA. 
grosbeaks — two males and a female — had 
dropped out of a tree into the undergrowth; 
and then, five minutes later, three crossbills 
—two males and a female —had risen out 
of the same undergrowth, and taken almost 
the very perch which the others had quitted ! 
Had this strange thing happened? Or had 
my eyes deceived me? This was my dilem- 
ma, on the sharp horns of which I tried al- 
ternately for the next eight days to make 
myself comfortable. 
During all that time, the weather rendered 
mountain climbing impracticable. But the 
morning of the 28th was clear and cold, and 
I set out forthwith for the Eagle Lakes. I 
the grosbeaks were there, | meant to see 
them, though I should have to spend all day 
in the attempt. My botanist had returned 
home, leaving me quite alone at the hotel; 
but, as good fortune would have it, before 
I reached the Profile House, I was over- 
taken unexpectedly by a young ornithological 
friend, who needed no urging to try the La- 
fayette path. We were creeping laboriously 
up the long, steep shoulder beyond the Ka- 
gle Cliff gorge, and drawing near the lakes, 
when all at once a peculiarly sweet, flowing 
