THROUGH THE PETITE RIGOLET 



bor. Their winter house — their habitation 

 for nine or ten months — was at the post. 

 We obtained a bucket of trout — two- and 

 three-pounders — in exchange for the same 

 measure of potatoes, and the botanist and I 

 were off for a reconnaissance of this land un- 

 known to men of our tastes and hobbies. We 

 might have fished for trout, but the potatoes 

 had accompHshed our purpose quicker than 

 artificial flies would have done, and both of 

 us, although fond of fishing, were agreed that 

 there is no greater sport for the naturalist than 

 exploring an unknown region. We are still of 

 this opinion even though the flies were so thick 

 and active that existence was possible only 

 with the head securely tied up in a bundle 

 handkerchief. Comfort, in addition to exist- 

 ence, was given from time to time by timely 

 application of citronella ointment to the small 

 exposed area of face. 



I spent some time at a lake among the hills 

 watching two broods of golden-eye ducks with 

 their mothers. One brood of five were taking 

 life easily as they floated about and preened 

 their miniature wings and still more diminu- 

 tive tails. They paid no attention to me ; they 

 177 



