THE GREBE. 137 



Of owls also there was a considerable variety, we having taken no less 

 than five species at this one camp. 



One particularly bright and cheerful day late in February, as I rode 

 through the woods at a distance of some five miles wst of our camp, I 

 came upon a small, nearly circular lake of about one mile and a half in 

 diameter. As I emerged from the forest and sat on my horse by the 

 rocky shore, where I thought to stop for a moment and admire the beau- 

 tiful scene before me, there came floating across the water from the far 

 side of the lake a low plaintive sound, which I instantly recognized as 

 that of the grebe, &chmof>horus major. In this sheltered place there was 

 not a sufficient breeze to cause the slightest ripple on the surface of the 

 lake, which for an instant I carefully scanned, hoping to get sight of the 

 flightless bird which I knew must be present, though the locality was re- 

 mote from its normal habitat For a few moments, save the low, plaintive 

 cry which was wafted at intervals from the opposite side, I could see no- 

 where on the surface of the lake the slightest evidence of life. A little 

 later, however, I detected a wide V-shaped ripple on the water, with a 

 small black object at the apex which was directed straight toward me from 

 the opposite shore. For a time I remained motionless and watched the 

 solitary bird as he sat gracefully on the surface of the water, with his long 

 neck erect and held a perfectly straight course for the beach at my feet, con- 

 tinuing to utter at regular intervals those singularly plaintive notes which 

 seemed almost as though intended to bespeak from me commiseration for 

 him in the lonely solitude of his surroundings. Still onward he came 

 with supreme confidence, until he had arrived at a reasonable distance 

 from the shore, when I levelled my fowling piece and dropped him lifeless 

 on the surface of the water, just as his last uttered note was losing itself 

 in the depths of the forest at my back. 



In the early morning and late afternoon deer were common about the 

 edges of the wood and in the small open parks within, while in the mid- 

 dle of the day they were frequently met with in the depths of the forests. 

 The degree of confidence and fearlessness displayed by these traditionally 

 timid animals was indeed most remarkable. It was plainly evident that 

 they were entirely unacquainted with man. On one occasion, while 

 tramping through the woods with my shotgun in quest of smaller game, I 

 came upon a full grown male lying quietly at the base of a large tree. As 

 I stopped to observe him, he remained quite still for a moment and looked 



