150 PEAIEIE AND FOEEST. 



shroud than the green grasses would cover the surface of 

 the earth. 



On the day in question, when T left my couch, immense 

 numbers of wild fowl were migrating southward evident 

 signs that cold weather had made its appearance north. 

 So, hoping possibly to kill a swan, or a scarce specimen of 

 wilk duck, I determined to visit my lakes once more ere 

 they were frozen up. At noon, when I started to fulfil my 

 purpose, large flakes of snow were noiselessly descending, 

 but not in sufficient numbers to obliterate the trail. The 

 water reached, the first glance exposed a sight only seen 

 by those who reside beyond the verges of civilisation, 

 where the wild denizens of the air, or inhabitants of the 

 land reign supreme. The surface of the lakes was covered 

 with ducks of every variety moving room even looked 

 scarce ; still phalanx after phalanx came swooping down 

 before the wind with the well-known velocity that a wild 

 duck's wings command. Quack, quack, quack, went the 

 ducks on the water ; a prolonged note from those in the 

 air answered. The three notes were an invitation, the one 

 note a hearty response, as willingly accepting the invi- 

 tation as the most hospitable host could desire. 



A few shots filled my bag, and I seated myself on a rock, 

 regardless alike of snow or wind, to admire and learn the 

 instinct of the animal world. Hour after hour glided on, 

 and night was near as I returned my pipe to my pocket, 

 unfolded my covering from around my gun-locks, and 

 rose to depart. The snow had in the meantime obliterated 

 my path ; still the familiar trees and the ever-true-speaking 

 mosses told with certainty the direction. Indolently and 



