OUTDOORS 



golden-winged woodpecker, and the clack of 

 passing flocks of blackbirds. There is also 

 a nervous little nuthatch bobbing around on 

 that big oak yonder, gradually zigzagging up 

 the trunk and softly, softly, what is that 

 dark spot edging cautiously over the top of 

 that third limb of the oak? 



It is a squirrel, by all that is lucky. He 

 has become emboldened by the security of 

 sylvan bustle into doing a little peeping on 

 his own account. That small spot is his 

 nose. The observant hunter has immediately 

 noticed this, but he has not moved an inch ; has 

 not " batted " an eye or twitched an eyelash. 

 He has seen the inquisitive nose of the squir- 

 rel and waits, statuelike, for further pro- 

 ceedings. Presently the squirrel's head comes 

 over the limb and then his body follows. 

 Then he springs to another bough and goes 

 around the tree again. Instantly the hunter 

 raises his rifle to his shoulder, aims a little 

 above where the squirrel has disappeared, 

 and again awaits developments. He has not 

 long to wait. Over another limb the little 

 animal gambols, now feeling quite secure 

 from any foes. Something causes a momen- 

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