JANUARY. 15 



Along the river, and in every pent valley of the smaller 

 creeks, is enacted an exciting drama. Animal life, that 

 long since withdrew into snug quarters to await the com- 

 ing spring, or had cozy retreats from tempestuous weather 

 and ventured abroad only when the day or night was fair, 

 is alike now turned out of house and home, and put to its 

 wits' ends to find a place of safety. 



Occasionally, I have known a hollow, glohular nest of 

 closely matted grass, filled with the tightly curled body 

 of a soundly sleeping jumping mouse, to roll from the 

 crumbling bank of a creek, and, as it was borne along 

 toward the river, the occupant to be roused by the en- 

 croaching water. One such poor creature was plucky and 

 struggled bravely to reach the shore, but only to find its 

 strength exhausted, and my subsequent careful nursing 

 could not save its life. There is no staying power in 

 these little bodies to withstand so great a change, and I 

 am surprised that they should ever rouse from a torpid 

 condition under such circumstances. 



Very different is it, however, with the omnipresent 

 meadow mice. They bob up serenely to the surface when 

 the flood covers their grassy runways, and, swimming 

 with ease, spend their time in voyages of discovery, mak- 

 ing every floating object that will sustain their weight a 

 port. When you approach them, they await your coming 

 until nearly within your reach, and then dive abruptly, 

 sinking from sight as though suddenly turned to lead. 

 On the other hand, the poor shrews, although not timid 

 when about the water in summer, and active enough in 

 winter when their coats are dry, find the current too swift 

 and bewildering, and often, succumb after swimming a 

 few rods. 



The reptile world at this time is represented by the 

 familiar water-snakes, and they, too, are well worthy of a 

 moment's notice. All know, I presume, how sensitive to 



