20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



right but the name did not appear upon our map. However, 

 we agreed to let the matter rest with this suggestion. 



On our jaunt from station to town we found a bird life strik- 

 ingly typical of the intervening country. From the open fields 

 came the drowsy buzz of the Grasshopper Sparrow, while above 

 innumerable Vultures, marvels of aviation, floated silently by 

 on poised wing. Individual trees standing in the midst of 

 plowed fields harbored hosts of chattering Grackles, while the 

 growth along the roadside was noisy with frolicking Goldfinches. 

 The village itself was not without attractions. Of almost Sab- 

 bath-day quietness it expressed a degree of comfort and content- 

 ment little realized in our more urban communities. Some of 

 the homes boasted paint, but those which commanded the most 

 attention were of the low rambling sort with whitewashed sides 

 and shell-lined walks as confines to scant flowerbeds. An oc- 

 casional martin box, doing business, was also noted. 



At the general utility store all our supplies were procured 

 and with repeated "Goodbyes" from the boys gathered about 

 us we climbed aboard our "prairie steamer" and started along 

 second stage of the journey. The drive through the woods the 

 strongly emphasized the kind of country we were henceforth to 

 reckon with. The sand of the road gleamed white in the noon- 

 day sun. At the sides where the shallow soil of vegetable mould 

 afforded nourishment, blossomed the lovely lady's-slipper, and 

 in the more open patches large colonies of sky-blue lupines. 

 From the oaks ahead the Crested Flycatcher challenged us with 

 harsh call, while from the tops of the scragged pines came the 

 monotonous ' ' chippy ' ' note of the Pine Warbler. 



At length at a turn of the road we came upon a stream, and 

 to our surprise were informed that Tnskeps had been reached. 

 There was nothing to indicate a settlement, past or present, and 

 we wondered how the little clearing, with no distinctive geo- 

 graphical features, had earned for itself a, name. , For us, how- 

 ever, the site was well chosen. Here was to begin our journey 

 amid prospects most pleasing. Only a short distance above, the 

 river broke out into a broad meadow lined with rush and flag. 

 In the shallow waters the bayonet tips of goldenclub glittered 

 in the afternoon sun. Near here, in open woods, we arranged 

 our first camp. 



