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A February Walk (Pdze Essay) 



BY MILDRED A. ROBINSON 



(Ag;ed 14 years) 



E had planned to walk over to the pond to see if 

 the recent thaw had spoiled the skating. As we 

 passed the foot of the hill, the little brook 

 splashed and tumbled down from Hts icy frame- 

 work, eddying around the brown goldenrod stalks, 

 and then rushed on at topmost speed across the 

 opposite meadow. 



We were standing on the little bridge, watch- 

 ing the ever fascinating current, Avhen an odd bird - note called our 

 attention to a little gray -backed, white -breasted bird who was 

 running up and down a neighboring tree. 



All thoughts of skating instantly vanished from our minds ; we 

 climbed the fence, and in a moment more were noiselessly following 

 our obstinate little bird, who would keep so high up in the tree- 

 tops that it was almost impossible to see anything but his breast. 



Finally, he descended, head downward, along one of the lower 

 branches of the tree, and we saw that it was a White -breasted Nut- 

 hatch, Evidently he thought he had stayed quite long enough for 

 •examination, so, after a few parting pecks at the rough bark, trying 

 to secure one more hidden insect, he flew off. 



We were slowly following the course of the little stream, when 

 suddenly a great rustle of the dead leaves near the water's edge 

 ■caused us to pause and listen. All was silent, with the exception of 

 a few distant Chickadees, then, with a whir and a clatter, we saw a 

 bushy tail disappear into the thicket ; a moment more and out came 

 a beautiful gray squirrel. Like a flash he was up the tree, jumping 

 irom limb to limb, frisking about in the sunshine, then down onto 

 the ground again, and away. His visit was even shorter than that 

 •of the Nuthatch, but not less enjoyable. 



And now, where were those noisy little Chickadees who had been 

 calling to us from the alder bushes for the last half-hour ? It was 

 easy enough to find these confiding little creatures ; they were feeding 

 on the ground, and seemed quite unconcerned at our presence, al- 

 though we approached very near to them. One little fellow seemed 



(94) 



