THINGS TO DO THIS FALL 53 



nest; and you will find a thousand things that on 

 the first trip you didn't dream were there. 



Secondly, when you go into the woods, go expect- 

 ing to see something in particular — always looking 

 for some particular nest, bird, beast, or plant. You 

 may not find that particular thing, but your eyes 

 will be sharpened by your expectation and purpose, 

 and you will be pretty sure therefore to see some- 

 thing. At worst you will come back with a disap- 

 pointment, and that is better than coming back 

 without a thing ! 



Thirdly, go off when you can alone. Don't be 

 selfish, unsociable, offish — by no means that. But 

 you must learn to use your own eyes and ears, think 

 your own thoughts, make your own discoveries, and 

 follow the hints and hopes that you alone can have. 

 Go with the school class for a picnic, but for wood- 

 craft go alone. 



Fourthly, learn first of all in the woods to be as 

 silent as an Indian and as patient as a granite rock. 

 Practice standing still when the mosquitoes sing, 

 and fixing your mind on the hole under the stump 

 instead of the hole the mosquito is boring between 

 your eyes. 



Fifthly, go out in every variety of weather, and 

 at night, as well as during the day. There are three 

 scenes to every day — morning, noon, and early even- 

 ing — when the very actors themselves are changed. 

 To one who has never been in the fields at daybreak, 



