374 UPLAND AND MEADOW. 



their heads under their wings, may be surprised ; and 

 swallows rest, in long lines, on the telegraph wires. 

 Thrushes hide in the tangled briers, and are therefore 

 sometimes surprised by black snakes ; whence the antip- 

 athy of these birds. Even wrens will be quiet at noon, 

 for a little while ; and every one of the birds mentioned 

 •will be about, long after sunset, often; particularly if 

 the moon prolongs the day. Of course, with mammals 

 it is different, and our night is their day. This is prob- 

 ably a change brought about by the increase of their 

 principal enfemies, men and dogs. I do not believe, in 

 Indian times, the mammals found here then were half 

 so careful to keep hidden through the day as they now 

 are. It would seem that they have gradually acquired 

 the knowledge of the fact that there are fewer men 

 prowling about at night; and, possibly, fewer dogs. 

 There is evidence, too, that the common mammals, as 

 opossums, minks, raccoons, and squirrels, are abroad 

 during dull, rainy days more than when they are clear. 

 It may be thought that the mere absence of sunlight 

 tempts them abroad, or that their prey, likewise, is more 

 readily to be found. I can assent to neither proposi- 

 tion ; but believe it is simply because these animals an- 

 ticipate freedom from molestation. The average man 

 does not go out in a pouring rain ; or, if so, confines him- 

 self to the highways, or takes a short-cut across fields, 

 quite unmindful of what may be going on beside him, 

 as he hurries by. The average mammal has learned this 

 fact, and so have I. 



A steady pour-down, if there is no wind, is the time 

 of all others for a naturalist to be about. Such a day 



