170 NA TURE-STUD Y REVIEW [17:4— April, 1921 



near the trail and as the girls pass her in single file have each one 

 whisper to her the name of the tree. Those who are right should 

 then stand on the right side of the trail, the others on the left. 

 When all have had a chance let one of the "rights" explain to the 

 "lefts" the distinguishing features by which she recognized the 

 tree. The next time the leader should select a different kind of 

 tree, but in the course of the afternoon select the sam.e kind often 

 enough so that no child returns from the walk without knowing 

 very well three or four trees, and something about them. Informa- 

 tion which is useful to the girls as campers will stimulate interest 

 and make the trees som.ething more than names or part of the land- 

 scape. For instance, the fact that balsam boughs make an excel- 

 lent bed and spruce do not ; that hemlock stumps are an imfailing 

 source of tinder for a campfire in any weather. 



One of our camp traditions is that every group which goes on 

 an overnight or longer trip makes up a sort of saga telling of all 

 their adventures, which is sting to the rest of the camp upon their 

 return. In these songs nature plays an important part. Mention 

 is made of such things as the kingfisher that followed some canoes 

 downstream, diving whenever he heard the splash of a paddle, 

 evidently mistaking the sound for the jtimping of a fish; of the 

 great mass of cardinal flowers glowing on the banks of the same 

 stream; of the white violets blooming in August in a clearing; of 

 the deserted nests of a colony of herons on a mountain side; of 

 the deer that stood near the tents of a camping party when they 

 awoke one July morning; of the glorious Northern lights with their 

 pulsating purples, greens and rose color, seen just before bedtime. 



A favorite evening occupation at camp is the study of the constel- 

 lations. The best time for beginners is early when only the bright- 

 est stars such as Vega, Deneb, Altair and Arcturus are visible. 

 When the position of each is learned the others as they appear 

 can be related to them and very quickly the campers come to know 

 ten to fifteen star groups and something about at least one bright 

 star in each. When on the lake at night such information may 

 prove of practical value. 



Among the night visitors to cam.p are the great barred owls 

 which come near the tents in twos and threes and from some high 

 branch send down unearthly sounds disturbing to the peace of 

 inexperienced campers. The great homed owls too make their 

 voices re-echo through the still woods late at night. During the 



