IN THE HEMLOCKS. 87 



How gentle and solicitous and full of yearn- 

 ing love ! It is the voice of the mother hen. 

 Presently a faint, timid " Yeap ! " which 

 almost eludes the ear, is heard in various 

 directions, the young responding. As no 

 danger seems near, the cooing of the parent 

 bird is soon a very audible clucking call, 

 and the young move cautiously in the direc- 

 tion. Let me step never so carefully from 

 my hiding-place, and all sounds instantly 

 cease, and I search in vain for either parent 

 or young. 



The grouse is one of our most native and 

 characteristic birds. The woods seem good 

 to be in where I find him. He gives a 

 habitable air to the forest, and one feels as 

 if the rightful occupant was really at home. 

 The woods where I do not find him seem to 

 want something, as if suffering from some 

 neglect of Nature. And then he is such 

 a splendid success, so hardy and vigorous. 

 I think he enjoys the cold and the snow. 

 His wings seem to rustle with more fervency 

 in midwinter. If the snow falls very fast, 

 and promises a heavy storm, he will com- 

 placently sit down and allow himself to be 

 snowed under. Approaching him at such 

 times, he suddenly bursts out of the snow 



