16 DAYS OUT OF DOORS. 



cold are serpents generally. This species is one, at least, 

 that is not helpless when plunged into icy waters, and has 

 no idea of soaking to death when a January thaw sub- 

 merges its winter quarters. "Why they are disturbed by it 

 at all I do not know, for they hibernate in mud and not in 

 dry earth. However, the freshet brings many to the sur- 

 face, and their activity adds to the attractiveness of the 

 flooded meadows. They are not so quick-motioned as in 

 midsummer, but rarely are caught napping, even by the 

 wary crows, which enjoy harassing them upon every occa- 

 sion, yet never, or very seldom, kill and devour them. 



Insect life likewise is roused from its slumbers and 

 probably no time is so favorable to gather beetles as when 

 they are floated to the shore by the rising waters. I have 

 seen the meadow margin lined with them, and hundreds of 

 specimens could be gathered of species rarely to be found 

 at any other time. 



All predatory animals that withstand the rigor of win- 

 ter look upon the January thaw as their annual jubilee. 

 Minks, musk-rats, hawks, and crows, particularly, are ever 

 on the alert for the benumbed mice, snakes, turtles, and 

 insects that are now, if not helpless, at least at a great 

 disadvantage. All day long they are prowling along the 

 shores of the new-born lake and congregate on the little 

 islands that are formed by the knolls. While eager to 

 prey, they are mindful that their arch-enemy, man, may 

 prey upon them ; so they keep out of sight when danger 

 threatens, and the naturalist must be cautious indeed as 

 he rambles over the submerged meadows. But if so, then 

 every moment will prove precious and no day too long, 

 and if the day is followed by a moonlit night, then will his 

 cup of happiness be filled to the very brim. 



The last January freshet, while not remarkable for the 

 depth of the overspreading waters, all the higher mead- 

 ows remaining uncovered, had the great merit of con- 



