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var. botriapium, but here the northern form was well marked, seeming almost specifically distinct. 
In the deep, damp moss, covering and filling in the rocks beneath the balsam growth, and relieving 
the ruggedness of the slopes, northern plants were growing in greater or less profusion. ‘The dwarf 
cornel (Cornus canadensis) grew in such close luxuriance in congenial spots, that its snowy bracts 
imparted an almost uniform whiteness to the whole beds. With, or near it, blossomed the wood 
sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) with delicately violet-veined petals, and the appropriately named gold- 
thread (Coptis trifolia), of evanescent bloom but shining evergreen leaves, and the little star flower 
(Trientalis americana) were often also associates. Excepting the pale yellow bells of Clintonia 
borealis, and the purplish tinge, or veining, of the blossoms of several other species, all the plants 
noticed in bloom at this time upon the mountains bore flowers of the same shade of white. Тһе 
more open ground about our course along the ridge supported a luxuriant and graceful growth of 
that lovely fern Aspidium spinulosum, and with it, in openings about the summit, grew abundantly 
the mountain golden-rod (Solidago thyrsoidea), which, although yet many weeks from bloom, 
heralded a royal emblem to light the mountain's brow ere the white locks of winter should again 
possess it. 
* At an elevation where these plants first appeared the trees nowhere attained more than a 
medium stature, those which seemed best to have surmounted the difficulties of their situation, the 
balsam and the paper birch, never rising to a height of more than, perhaps, twenty-five feet. This 
growth completely encompassed the range of vision, but an occasional scantiness in the foliage 
permitted glimpses of surrounding mountains rolling off like huge green billows into the blue 
distance. 
* From these evergreens came the leisurely call of the Canada Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis), and 
on closer approach Ше low plaintive notes of the little Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Hmpidonax 
flaviventris). Тһе brief warble of the Black-and-Yellow Warbler (Dendroica maculosa) told the 
presence of its unseen author in the surrounding trees, while among the undergrowth the less 
frequent, but louder and more sustained song of the Mourning Ground-Warbler (Geothlypis 
philadelphia) showed that this species, which had been left at the foot of the mountain, had here 
reappeared. At intervals, faint mingling with these songs, from some hidden fastness below, came 
the fastasia of the Winter Wren, a melody that seemed to pass from the spirit of unclaimed nature, 
voicing some mystery of the mountains. The clamour of a party of Blue Jays occasionally arose 
and died away in the forest, but here, in the mountain solitude, their screams seemed less subdüed 
than in less primitive regions, and lacked that suggestion of consciousness which individuals 
constantly within human hearing seem to acquire. Busily roaming Chickadees (Parus atricapillus) 
at times came about our path, and the Snow-bird (Junco hyemalis) was present with its simple song. 
Olive-backed Thrushes (Turdus ustulatus swainsoni) too were constantly to be heard, and finally, 
guided by its near song, one was followed up and secured. А moment later another Thrush darted 
across the path, and disappearing through a young balsam growth, immediately began to sing a few 
rods off. The song was different from that of the bird which had just been shot, so much so, in fact, 
as to be remarked even by my guide. It seemed to be more uniform in character, with less variation 
and definition of the notes: as І wrote in my note-book at the time—more suggestive of the song of 
the Veery. А conspicuous point of difference was that it was more subdued in tone, in fact of a 
somewhat ventriloquial nature. On examining the bird in hand, although I had thought myself 
familiar with all our eastern Wood Thrushes (Hylocichle), I must confess to having been puzzled. 
It was obviously neither the Olive-backed nor the Hermit Thrush, the only species of our own 
smaller Thrushes, which from the distribution of their group (as then understood) could possibly be 
expected to occur. І at once noted its general resemblance to the Grey-cheeked Thrush, but it 
seemed impossible that this Hudsonian bird could be found so far south at this season; and though 
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