MOUNTAIN TREES 



trate their thick and ancient trunks seek 

 shelter from the fury of the winds. On 

 the leeward side beneath the low, storm- 

 beaten, creeping trunks are often found 

 delightful low nooks just about large 

 enough for a cozy bed. Since a soft 

 bed of needles is generally there, too, 

 these hospitable shelters are always 

 welcomed by the traveller when spend- 

 ing the night on the high wind-swept 

 peaks. 



Familiar to the frequenter of the high 

 mountain trails which lead among these 

 forests is the harsh, raucous and dis- 

 cordant cry of the Clarke Nut-cracker. 

 No matter how often you enter these 

 domains you always find this saucy bird 

 ready to entertain you. On the edge of 

 the Tamarack forest he meets you, to 

 escort you through his haunts. Ever on 

 the move he keeps just ahead at a safe 

 distance, alighting invariably in some 

 dry tree where he can watch you. If 

 you stop for a few minutes he may fly 

 to some green, cone-laden tree and still 



49 



