BIRDS-NESTING 179 



The sylvan folk seem to know when you are on 

 a peaceful mission, and are less afraid than usual. 

 Did not that marmot to-day guess my errand did not 

 concern him as he saw me approach there from his 

 cover in the bushes 1 But, when he saw me pause 

 and deliberately seat myself on the stone wall im- 

 mediately over his hole, his confidence was much 

 shaken. He apparently deliberated awhile, for I 

 heard the leaves rustle as if he were making up his 

 mind, when he suddenly broke cover and came for 

 his hole full tilt. Any other animal would have 

 taken to his heels and fled; but a woodchuck's heels 

 do not amount to much for speed, and he feels his 

 only safety is in his hole. On he came in the most 

 obstinate and determined manner, and I dare say if 

 I had sat down in his hole would have attacked me 

 unhesitatingly. This I did not give him a chance 

 to do; but, not to be entirely outdone, attempted 

 to set my feet on him in no very gentle manner; 

 but he whipped into his den beneath me with a de- 

 fiant snort. Farther on, a saucy chipmunk pre- 

 sumed upon my harmless character to an unwonted 

 degree also. I had paused to bathe my hands and 

 face in a little trout brook, and had set a tin cup, 

 which I had partly filled with strawberries as I 

 crossed the field, on a stone at my feet, when along 

 came the chipmunk as confidently as if he knew pre- 

 cisely where he was going, and, perfectly oblivious 

 of my presence, cocked himself up on the rim of the 

 cup and proceeded to eat my choicest berries. I re- 

 mained motionless and observed him. He had eaten 



