-16- 



After strolling- throug-h the woods for an 

 hour or more, I decided to return home, and 

 so I retraced my steps back ag-ain, past the 

 old lake. When I arrived at the water's edg-e^ 

 I heard an American Bittern, but I could not 

 tell by the sound in what direction to look for 

 him. In due time I saw the old fellow stalk- 

 ing- through the long-, rank marsh, g-rass, 

 stopping- now and then, ruffling- his feathers 

 and g-iving- vent to his Ka whack, which 

 sounded very much like some one pounding- 

 on a log- with a heavy maul. 



By the time I arrived at the place where my 

 horse was tied, the shadows of evening- beg-an 

 to fall. The hoarse croak of the buU-frog-s, 

 the singing of vespers by the Wood Thrushes, 

 the heavy breeze that swept across the lake, 

 all these made a great impression on me, as I 

 slowly left the place to the fire-flies, g-low- 

 worms and nig-ht-owls. 



Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 



