300 THE Aroostook Woops. 

from shore, over the now smaller waves, which are once 
more flashing in the broad, open sunlight that is shining over 
the waters and the well-wooded and variegated hills, warming 
the moistened evergreens, from which a sweet perfume arises, 
and is wafted over the waters by the breeze. The squirrels 
are chasing along the shores, happy to have another sunny 
morning. The blue jay—the beautiful scamp—is screaming 
as usual at sight of us, notifying the ducks and every deer 
within hearing to get away out of sight, for the enemy is 
abroad, and on the war path. 
‘*You are a very pretty bird; very, indeed; we cannot 
help admiring your beautiful blue dress and elevated crest, 
but never shall injure our voice singing your praises, and 
remember, with much satisfaction, of catching a number of 
you robbers in our wooden sable traps.” 
And the loon, with his jolly call, ‘* Ah —oo—o—hoo!” 
Here in line are five of them; how cheerfully they greet you, 
and always at first s ght, without ceremony. And often in 
the middle of the night, as the wind fans your fire to a 
blaze again, they will, like the watchman of the night, make 
known the fact that they are awake and are singing off the 
hours. We call them our ‘‘ Ethiopian serenaders,” in full 
evening dress, with their black coats and white waistcoats. 
We never shoot them for the fun of it, nor to exhibit superior 
marksmanship, for they belong to this elegant panorama, and 
are a beauty here; taking them away from the middle of the 
picture, it loses one of its prettiest parts. One wishing a 
specimen for the taxidermist may be excused, but they are not 
fit to eat, and were never given to us for that purpose, as the 
ducks, partridge, and deer family. And his Oh hoo! 
is not to us a melancholy strain. We have heard one say, 
ah 


