32 SUMMER IN A BOG. 



In those portions of the swamp where the 

 waiter has gathered in pools and the cat-tadl, 

 iris, and willow flourish, the red-winged black- 

 bird bnilds her nest. It is a bulky mass of grass, 

 sedge, reed, and other herbage, lined with the 

 finest and softest grass to be found, hanging 

 among the straggling bushes and reeds or rest- 

 ing in the erotoh of a low willow. It is always 

 concealed from view, but the loud protest, 

 threatening and shrill, which is raised when one 

 approaches, gives assurance that the visit is 

 unwelcome. As the intruder withdraws, the 

 satisfied birds utter the musical notes which 

 gives them with some the name of ' "Tit- willow, " 

 with others, that of "Kongqueree." 



The musk-rat is seen occasionally. The 

 mink is found more rarely in these regions, but 

 the name of the stream indicates that here was 

 a favorite resort of the little creature whose 

 beautiful fur has caused its decimation. 



There is a ground-hog's hole in a black bank. 

 The dark, heavy creature tumbles clumsily into 

 his den at times when I have wandered too 

 near, gathering the fragile fern or the violets 

 or the blue-eyed grass. There is, at times, good 

 reason to suspect the presence of the polecat in 

 the neighborhood. 



It is a region of much floral loveliness, this 

 diversified hill-and-hoUow of the moraine. The 



