portion of the lake covered with sedge and wil- 

 low. 



In summer, magpies, woodpeckers, nut- 

 hatches, and chickadees live in the bordering 

 woods. In the willows the white-crowned spar- 

 row builds. By the outlet or in the cascades 

 above or below is the ever- cheerful water-ouzel. 

 The solitaire nesting near often flies across the 

 lake, filling the air with eager and melodious 

 song. Along the shore, gentians, columbines, 

 paintbrushes, larkspur, and blue mertensia often 

 lean over the edge and give the water-margin 

 the beauty of their reflected colors. 



These lakes above the limits of tree-growth 

 do not appear desolate, even though stern peaks 

 rise far above. The bits of flowery meadow or 

 moorland lying close or stretching away, the 

 songful streams arriving or departing, soften 

 their coldness and give a welcome to their rock- 

 bound, crag-piled shores. Mountain sheep are 

 often visitors. They come to drink, or to feed 

 and play in the sedgy meadow near by. Ptar- 

 migan have their homes here, and all around 

 them nest many birds from the southland. 



154 



