Lake George 



rearing them, of which we apparently have an 

 example in the cuckoo. Delicacy of organiza- 

 tion, which would seem one of the most natural 

 causes for a delay until the heat of July, cannot 

 explain it in these cases, since both goldfinches 

 and cedar birds are sufficiently hardy to remain 

 with us all winter. 



Lake George is said to be famous for pick- 

 erel fishing. Certainly it was not impoverished 

 by any abstractions of mine ; and I served a 

 faithful two weeks' apprenticeship in trying to 

 allure, with a " spoon-hook," those tasty creat- 

 ures. I asked advice as to the best method 

 from all the noted fishermen in the neighbor- 

 hood, whom I found to be, in one respect, 

 very much like music-teachers — each one knew 

 his art better than all the rest. By actual count 

 I was told of four different ways of trolling. 

 Of course I followed them all consecutively; 

 and, as a reward of my labor, I found myself 

 for once in the same boat with the holy Apos- 

 tles, who toiled all the night, and caught noth- 

 ing. Evidently the pickerel were above (or 

 below) being fed with a spoon, or else were in 

 league with the permanent residents as against 

 225 



