NATURE GUIDING AT HOME 229 



along the muddy shore. Once I saw this little 

 bear tearing a log to pieces near the outlet of 

 the lake; another time he was catching mice in 

 the grass near the south shore. His territory 

 was around this lake. I often tracked him, but 

 never did these tracks lead more than two miles 

 from the lake. 



The same lion was three times seen near the 

 lake. A ground-hog was seen so often that he 

 came out and rolled in the sand, or ate dande- 

 lions within a few yards of me, only moving 

 enough to prevent my stepping upon him when I 

 walked by his home. After watching the ground- 

 hog for six summers, a coyote who had lived 

 near by for three years at last surprised him too 

 far from his den. 



About midway between my cabin and the lake 

 was another ground-hog which I saw occasionally 

 through five summers. In going to and from 

 the lake I often saw the same chipmunk, or 

 the same snowshoe rabbit in its exclusive home 

 territory. 



The trees along my trail to the lake I saw 

 every month of the year. I noticed where the 

 gentians lived, that their first bloom was close 

 to the first day of August, and that the first 

 yellow leaves were certain to be on the aspens 

 that stood in the driest spot. 



On each trip to the lake I saw tracks, fur, 



