204 WASTE-LAND WANDERINGS. 



very funny, but not more so than its quick recovery 

 from astonishment, and prompt resolve to consider the 

 remarkable situation. It sat upright on its haunches, 

 like a marmot, and looked in every direction, but seeing 

 no other dry route to shore than over the boat, and not 

 desiring a second swim, it cautiously approached until 

 within a few inches of me, when it gave a shrill squeak 

 and broke into a run. In a moment it was out of sight. 



An empty nest of a wood-thrush, directly above my 

 head, recalled another wild mouse that is exceedingly 

 abundant on the wooded bluff that faces the terrace. 

 I refer to the white-footed or deer -mouse. The nest 

 above me recalled them, because in October very many 

 of the larger birds'-nests, especially if in thickets, will be 

 found to have been converted into cosey winter retreats 

 by these beautiful little mammals. 



Notwithstanding my having given much attention to 

 the subject, autumn after autumn, for several years, I 

 have never been able to clear up several points in the 

 histories of these bush-nests of the white-footed mice. 

 In the first place, how far are these old birds'-nests re- 

 modelled; and again, are not. a certain number of these 

 mouse retreats constructed de novo, the builders using 

 the abandoned nest of the bird for the exterior of the 

 new structure ? 



In the months of October and November of the past 

 year I examined a series of forty-two bush-nests, as I 

 prefer to call them. Every one was materially different 

 from an ordinary bird's -nest, none being open above, 

 nor having the lining that birds use. They were all oc- 



