ioo THE ADVENTURES OF A NATURE GUIDE 



sing. The clamour drowned his melody, though 

 he was close to me, but his throat and gestures 

 told of song. Following and skimming the stream 

 with every dip and bend that it made, he finally 

 dropped with the water behind a cascade. 



Merry chipmunks scampered about. Squirrels 

 from below came in nervous haste and departed 

 early. Their winter supplies were probably har- 

 vested nearer home. Curiosity alone made them 

 risk the dangers of this promiscuous gathering spot. 



Each bird plainly was there for food and fun. 

 If the truth were known, perhaps no visitor re- 

 mained long. It seemed not unlike a depot of 

 supplies — an oasis in the desert; or was it also a 

 bureau of information, and a reception ? Here all 

 species came for fare provided at a time when there 

 were scanty pickings in regions inhabited the year 

 round; for the young birds it was a break in the first 

 long flight; for the old ones it offered ideal oppor- 

 tunities to rest — a breathing spell after the strenu- 

 ous demands of raising and training the young- 

 sters. The scenes were constantly changing, new 

 arrivals disturbing the peace and quiet of the spec- 

 tacle, or making no impression on the moving 

 pageant, according to the nature and habits of the 

 intruders. 



And alas! More than once as I watched the 

 banqueters some stronger, more cunning foe sprang 

 upon them from a hiding place near which they 

 ventured* and thinned their ranks. 



