833 UPLAND AND MEADOW. 



are not dead and brittle when gathered, but this does 

 not explain altogether how thej interweave them so 

 that few, if anj, become dislodged. 



Flying squirrels, also, build such nests, and I have 

 known one to harbor seven squirrels during the winter. 

 In this case, the leaf-nest was in a tree that had a large 

 cavity in the trunk, at the base of the lowermost branches. 

 This capacious retreat had been discarded, apparently, 

 because it had been found too much exposed to storms; 

 and squirrels have yet to learn how to construct a door. 

 To avoid being drowned out, the large leaf-nest I have 

 mentioned was constructed. The family occupying it 

 was less nocturnal in habits than any I have seen. They 

 were sure to leave home before sunset ; and twice, on 

 cloudy days, I saw them frisking about at noon. Con- 

 straint seemed exceedingly distasteful, or were they af- 

 flicted with the common complaint of insomnia? 



October 18. — Snow-birds in abundance. In them we 

 have evidence of autumn in earnest. It is late for their 

 first appearance, and probably there have been dozens 

 skulking in the bushes for weeks past ; but, to-day, early 

 in the morning, they rushed through the dripping leaves 

 of the black oaks, for it was raining; and these birds 

 were singing, too, a plain but pleasing melody. 



Burroughs, in ever-delightful " Wake-Iiobin," asks: 

 "Who has heard the snow-bird sing?" I have, and 

 not only to-day, but all the past autumn, winter, and 

 early spring. They are never mute, with us, but sing 

 longer, louder, sweeter than usual just before a snow- 

 fall. Not 60 long before that their song can be taken 



