242 NATATORES. 



their way, some of the wood-mice that, frightened by 

 the approach of the foragers, hie toward their bur- 

 rows. The cackling they lieep up would almost deafen 

 you, were you near them, but it is suddenly stopped 

 by the approach of some unusual enemy, and at once 

 all are silent." 



During the autumn months our inland streams and 

 lakes mostly abound with many varieties of Ducks, 

 of forms and degrees of beauty as numerous as their 

 species. We would gladly give our readers a full 

 description of these bright wanderers, but our limits 

 will allow only of a few remarks respecting most of 

 them, while with some of the most interesting we 

 may spend more time. 



We have already become a little acquainted with 

 the Mallard, both as the occupant of our private 

 duck-ponds, and also as a denizen of the free air ; 

 let us now see if we cannot find something to inter- 



