MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



during the night, and only occasionally are we 

 fortunate enough to sight the migrators. An 

 evening or so ago a strange chance revealed to 

 us the passing of a flock of wild geese. The 

 travellers were completely hidden by a heavy fog, 

 and we should never have suspected their pres- 

 ence but for the anxious calls and cries of a de- 

 tached portion of the company which had gone 

 astray in the fog. 



" Where, where? Where, where? " we heard 

 from the separated members. 



" Here, here ! Here, here ! " answered the 

 firm voice of the leader; but it was not with one 

 or two directions that he rallied his scattered 

 forces. There was a great deal of calling and 

 much answering before the listeners heard the 

 regular movement of wings announcing the com- 

 pany assembled and once more under way. 



You look in vain for the evergreen shelter at 

 the window-sill tavern. With the coming of 

 spring the establishment closes for the season, 

 being altogether too modest an hostelry to ac- 

 commodate the multitude of guests which the 

 warmer weather brings. So, until wintry days 

 come again, the table d'hote proper will be served 

 out under the hospitable maples whose branches 



