TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 117 



Hanging on to the end of a bough of a dwarf alder 

 I found the nest of the golden-crown kinglet, an 

 exquisite in tiny birds, so aptly named too. The 

 majestic title of king would o'erweight so small a 

 monarch, and a monarch he is, for he is crowned with 

 gold. The nest was a very dainty residence. Moss 

 comprised the outer covering and feathers lined the 

 inside, and to compact and cement the whole structure 

 the spiders had contributed of their webs. The 

 golden-crowned kinglet fluttered round me in 

 anguished dismay as I neared his domicile, for his 

 queen was at home, and her smaller tiara flashed in 

 the sun as she slid out and made a bid for safety. 

 There were seven eggs in the nest, white, with yellow- 

 brown speckles, and I withdrew to a little distance, 

 and lay concealed until I saw the little queen return 

 in complete contentment. 



That very same evening our luck was astonishing, 

 for, prowling along the river slopes, over ground 

 which must have been covered by Ralph and the 

 Leader, we saw a large bear standing meditating on 

 a little knoll. We were all on the same side of the 

 river, and probably not more than two hundred yards 

 separated us. 



The bear instantaneously scented danger and whipped 

 off, with surprising agility for so large a bulk, towards 

 the alder scrub. I threw up my rifle, and at that 

 same instant Steve, who was immediately behind me, 

 took it on himself to order the proceedings, and in 

 quite loud tones said, "Shoot, shoot now!" To 

 emphasize his remark he gave me a decidedly vigor- 



