The American Midland Naturalist 



PUBLISHED BI-MONTHLY BY THE UNIVERSITY 

 OF NOTRE DAME, NOTRE DAME, INDIANA. 



VOL. III. JANUARY, 1914. NO. 7. 



IN THE WOODS. 



How the Wild Creatures are Spending the Winter. 



BY WALTER LOUIS HAHN, PH. D.= 



This is the season when the size of a man's bank account 

 is most apt to determine his location. For in summer practically 

 every one spends much of his time out of doors even though he 

 may not go to Newport or Lenox. But in winter it is only the 

 rich man who can escape the inclemency of the weather by taking 

 a southern journey. 



* "On May 31, 191 1, a distressing accident occurred on St. Paul Island. 

 Dr. Harry D. Chichester, assistant agent, and Dr. Walter L. Hahn, the 

 naturalist on the seal islands, with their wives and a native, Neon Tetof, 

 while sailing on the lagoon were unable to put about successfully in the 

 high wind and by the capsizing of their boat were exposed to the ice- 

 cold water for more than an hour. All were alive when rescued, and Mrs. 

 Chichester and Mrs. Hahn, by the diligent efforts of the physician, were 

 resuscitated. The native also survived, but Dr. Chichester and Dr.. 

 Hahn, necessarily left without medical attention for a time, succumbed 

 to the effects of the exposure." 



..Dr. Hahn entered upon his duties as naturalist in the fall of 1910. 

 His training, wide field experience, and well-known ability and enthu- 

 siasm as a zoologist and practical business man were assurance that his 

 appointment to the position of naturalist, just established, would prove 

 a wise selection. His report, written up to the very day of his death, 

 shows that he possessed a remarkably clear understanding of the problems 

 with which he had to deal. Arriving at the islands August 23, 1910, he 

 made daily observation and study of the seals and foxes throughout the 

 fall, winter, and spring. He also gave attention to the birds and other 

 animals on and about the islands, to the plants, and to meteorological 

 phenomena, and gave much thought to the local educational problems 

 and the intellectual and moral well-being of the natives, working out a 

 system of education such as he believed best adapted to their needs." 



* Report, Alaska Fish and Fur Ind. p. 90,, (1912). 



