l62 AUDUBON 



under which was found a hole about two and a half feet in 

 diapieter, through which Harris, Bell, and Moncrevier (who 

 had followed us) entered, but found nothing within, as the 

 Beaver had gone to the river. Harris saw it, and also the 

 people at the boat. I secured some large specimens of 

 the cuttings used to build the lodge, and a pocketful of the 

 chips. Before Beavers fell the tree they long for, they 

 cut down all the small twigs and saplings around. The 

 chips are cut above and below, and then split off by the 

 animal; the felled trees lay about us in every direction. 

 We left our camp at half-past five ; I again examined the 

 lodge, which was not finished, though about six feet in di- 

 ameter. We saw a Pigeon Hawk giving chase to a Spotted 

 Sandpiper on the wing. When the Hawk was about to 

 seize the little fellow it dove under water and escaped. 

 This was repeated five or six times ; to my great surprise 

 and pleasure, the Hawk was obliged to relinquish the prey. 

 As the wind blew high, we landed to take breakfast, on a 

 fine beach, portions of which appeared as if paved by the 

 hand of man. The canoe men killed a very poor cow, 

 which had been wounded, and so left alone. The wind fell 

 suddenly, and we proceeded on our route till noon, when 

 it rose, and we stopped again. Mr. Culbertson went hunt- 

 ing, and returned having killed a young buck Elk. Dined, 

 and walked after the meat and skin, and took the measure- 

 ments. Returning, saw two Elks driven to the hills by 

 Mr. Culbertson and Bell. Met Harris, and started a mon- 

 strous buck Elk from its couch in a bunch of willows ; shot 

 at it while running about eighty yards off, but it was not 

 touched. Meantime Provost had heard us from our dinner 

 camp ; loading his rifle he came within ten paces, when his 

 gun snapped. We yet hope to get this fine animal. Harris 

 found a Dove's nest with one young one, and an egg just 

 cracked by the bird inside ; the nest was on the ground. 

 Curious all this at this late late season, and in a woody 

 part of the country. Saw a Bat. 



