My First Summer 



are smaller still and lead us on and on into 

 infinite mystery. 



July 3 1 . Another glorious day, the air 

 as delicious to the lungs as nectar to the 

 tongue ; indeed the body seems one palate, 

 and tingles equally throughout. Cloudiness 

 about .05, but our ordinary shower has not 

 yet reached us, though I hear thunder in 

 the distance. 



The cheery little chipmunk, so common 

 about Brown's Flat, is common here also, 

 and perhaps other species. In their light, 

 airy habits they recall the familiar species 

 of the Eastern States, which we admired 

 in the oak openings of Wisconsin as they 

 skimmed along the zigzag rail fences. These 

 Sierra chipmunks are more arboreal and 

 squirrel-like. I first noticed them on the 

 lower edge of the coniferous belt, where the 

 Sabine and yellow pines meet, exceed- 

 ingly interesting little fellows, full of odd, 

 funny ways, and without being true squir- 

 rels, have most of their accomplishments 

 [ 230] 



