52 OUR NATIONAL PARKS 



of buffaloes in the park, but you will not thus 

 cheaply in tourist fashion see them nor many of 

 the other large animals hidden in the wilderness. 

 The song-birds, too, keep mostly out of sight of 

 the rushing tourist, though off the roads thrushes, 

 warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, etc., keep the air 

 sweet and merry. Perhaps in passing rapids and 

 falls you may catch glimpses of the water-ouzel, 

 but in the whirling noise you will not hear his 

 song. Fortunately, no road noise frightens the 

 Douglas squirrel, and his merry play and gossip 

 will amuse you all through the woods. Here 

 and there a deer may be seen crossing the road, 

 or a bear. Most likely, however, the only bears 

 you will see are the half tame ones that go to the 

 hotels every night for dinner-table scraps, — 

 yeast-powder biscuit, Chicago canned stuff, mixed 

 pickles, and beefsteaks that have proved too 

 tough for the tourists. 



Among the gains of a coach trip are the ac- 

 quaintances made and the fresh views into hu- 

 man nature ; for the wilderness is a shrewd 

 touchstone, even thus lightly approached, and 

 brings many a curious trait to view. Setting 

 out, the driver cracks his whip, and the four 

 horses go off at half gallop, half trot, in trained, 

 showy style, until out of sight of the hotel. The 

 coach is crowded, old and young side by side, 

 blooming and fading, full of hope and fun and 

 care. Some look at the scenery or the horses, 



