BIRD PARADISE i6i 



was fully as successful as that done in the regular 

 season. Old and youug birds did all their talk- 

 ing in the common tongue of a single call note. 

 Just below them on the hillside a red squirrel 

 chattered in response to the birds, and near him, 

 searching a decayed log, I saw a worm-eating 

 warbler. 



This morning I saw a wandering skunk cross- 

 ing my lawn. It was light enough so that I 

 could see the prowler and keep entirely out of 

 his way. These fellows have their place and I 

 am quite content to let them have it. I notice 

 that they are scavengers of real value. Grubs 

 and worms of various kinds make up their regu- 

 lar diet. With their long claws they search the 

 lawn, uncovering many a luscious morsel. I am 

 told that they are invaluable helpers in the hop 

 field. Their means of defense has a great deal 

 of strength to recommend it, and I know of very 

 few creatures that are willing to contend with it. 

 On the old farm the skunk levied tribute on the 

 poultry yard, to some extent, every year. His 

 sluggish nature is well known, but his chief rep- 

 utation rests upon the facility with which he 

 can poison the air of an entire neighborhood. I 



