108 WINTER SUNSHINE 



tree. Then at a distance there seems to be sort of 

 bloom on it, as upon the grape or plum. Amid a 

 grove of yellow maple, it makes a most pleasing 

 contrast. 



By mid- October, most of the Rip Van Winkles 

 among our brute creatures have lain down for their 

 winter nap. The toads and turtles have buried 

 themselves in the earth. The woodchuck is in his 

 hibernaculum, the skunk in his, the mole in his; 

 and the black bear has his selected, and will go in 

 when the snow comes. He does not like the looks 

 of his big tracks in the snow. They publish his 

 goings and comings too plainly. The coon retires 

 about the same time. The provident wood-mice 

 and the chipmunk are laying by a winter supply of 

 nuts or grain, the former usually in decayed trees, 

 the latter in the ground. I have observed that any 

 unusual disturbance in the woods, near where the 

 chipmunk has his den, will cause him to shift his 

 quarters. One October, for many successive days, 

 I saw one carrying into his hole buckwheat which 

 he had stolen from a near field. The hole was only 

 a few rods from where we were getting out stone, 

 and as our work progressed, and the racket and up- 

 roar increased, the chipmunk became alarmed. He 

 ceased carrying in, and after much hesitating and 

 darting about, and some prolonged absences, he 

 began to carry out; he had determined to move; if 

 the mountain fell, he, at least, would be away in 

 time. So, by mouthfuls or cheekfuls, the grain 

 was transferred to a new place. He did not make 



