TO TIRE OUT A CHIPMUNK 211 



passers, which he does effectually by protest- 

 ing so vehemently that all birds are driven 

 out of the vicinity. What should the stu- 

 dent do, if he were as big in body as he is in 

 spirit ? 



On one occasion after an hour of vain 

 attempt to tire out a chipmunk, and thus see 

 some of the other residents, I resolved to 

 seek another spot, if possible beyond the 

 range of my noisy neighbor. The place I 

 found somewhat farther into the woods was 

 delightful, but hard to reach, being part way 

 up the end of a rocky ledge which rose ab- 

 ruptly from the ground. The way which 

 apparently no one had trodden before me 

 was exceedingly steep, and slippery from its 

 thick covering of dead leaves. By the help 

 of an alpenstock, and digging out footholds, 

 as mountain-climbers cut them in rocks, I 

 reached the first ledge, and there I sat down 

 to observe, and consider whether I would 

 attempt the next elevation. 



This place was most attractive. One side 

 was perpendicular rock partly covered with 

 moss and clumps of ferns, and in some places 

 with big bark-covered roots of trees which 



