LANDMARKS 147 



Within a minute after the first camp-birds 

 called they were eating from my hand. They 

 are a confiding bird wherever found. While they 

 were with me they were most gentle, chatting in 

 low tones and moving about deliberately. But 

 they never remained more than a few minutes. 

 They live among dense evergreen forests and do not 

 seem to like the open, but they made me occasional 

 visits the year round. 



The haughtiest, lordliest, and wisest bird visitor 

 was the long-crested jay, with dark blue coat and 

 with top of head and crest jet-black. They were 

 ever reserved, and though trusting me, never be- 

 came confiding. They came every day during the 

 winter months, but in summer went away to 

 Canada and Alaska. 



Every living thing responded in its own way. 

 Sometimes a bird came close and by looks and ac- 

 tions appeared to be trying to speak. It required 

 a long time and even special efforts with a few 

 species of birds and animals before they understood 

 that it was safe to be near me. But once they lost 

 fear they became curiously, watchfully interested 

 in every move I made. 



The shy, nervous rabbits at last made up their 

 minds that I was not ferocious. Then they would 

 come to feed in the yard during the daytime. 

 I discovered they were out more often during 

 cloudy days than during sunny ones. On a bright 

 day they always sat or fed around the edge of a 



