•Jr ft i904=] 
FOREST AND STREAM 
ed to stem the flood, and not one succeeded. Accord- 
0 Jim, no salmon in past times had ever achieved the 
iction of ascending to the placid pools above, but 
made little difference to the salmon, for all previous 
res seemed to have been forgotten, or even inspired 
to greater efforts to mount higher and yet higher in 
search for better spawning grounds. Those fish 
impelled by instincts which are strong — the instincts 
thousand years — to stem the current regardless of 
jquences, to push constantly onward and upward 
jgh the perils of rapid and net and shoal alike, to 
out the purest, clearest springs among the far away 
sources. The whole scene was one dear to the heart 
angler. It reminded me of the Grande Decharge of 
St. John, where the mighty floods of the Mistassini, 
tapmouchouan and Peribonca pour down into the 
re Saguenay. Only it was pictured on a smaller 
less noisily boisterous, but far more refined in its 
seclusion; an ideal spot for a solitary fisherman, and 
e retreat for a hundred weary salmon, 
oroughly tired after our long tramp across the hills, 
was accomplished that first afternoon except pitch- 
he tent a few yards from the pool, and placing a 
e of spruce trunks across the stream some distance 
; to serve as a rude bridge. A combined dinner and 
:r was nearly ready; one kettle filled to the brim with 
ad just commenced to bubble, while from under the 
f another larger one exhaled the savory odors of a 
stew. A side of smoked salmon impaled on a 
r sizzled a few feet above the blaze, while off at one 
he frying-pan, resting on a bed of embers, did its 
x> brown some slices of corn-meal mush. It was a 
1 repast for a hungry man, and we had just corn- 
ed to partake, when a sudden shrill scream echoed 
somewhere along the face of the cliff, and a great 
launched himself from a projecting crag, and with 
bus flappings of his wings soared straight for camp, 
circled around and around above our heads, I 
distinguish the black cap and glossy blue back of a 
b adult goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) , that rare, 
bird of falconry. Soon the more powerful female 
i her mate from another quarter, and together, 
ping and darting past our faces, they awoke the 
s of the mountains with angry screamings. Rarely 
I witnessed such a display of bold daring in a bird, 
pard such wild discordant cries." The big, clumsy 
*s are worried when their nest is approached, but 
create a spectacle at very close range. Even the 
courageous sparrow hawk, with his shrill killy, 
killy, keeps at a respectful distance. But on a warm 
evening just walk out into the orchard and stand 
r the old apple tree where the little screech owl has 
■ood, and you will feel the breath of his wings, and 
ance score a scratch or so to boot. He utters no 
ing note, no hoarse cries or rasping screams, but he 
s swiftly and silently from among the black 
>ws. One spring evening some years ago a professor 
walking contentedly along McCosh walk on the 
eton campus with a lighted cigar held between his 
when one of these birds suddenly swooped at the 
knocking the latter to the pavement, while the 
ly professor quickened his steps in hasty retreat. 
> this hypothesis was advanced, and from it a theory 
deduced: namely, that the light looked like a fire- 
nd consequently that the joke was on the owl, not 
le professor. But if they had known that a small 
l, not ten yards away, contained four downy nest- 
perhaps the laugh might have rung the other way, 
erchance the wise old owl chuckled softly to herself, 
at pair of goshawks had a nest a short distance 
camp. It was concealed in a little niche on the 
ndicular face of the cliff, with a sheer drop of a 
and feet below it. Of course I did not attempt the 
t, as it was impregnable; but I climbed within a 
e of hundred feet, and could see two well grown 
perched on the rocks. A day or two later they 
a lesson in flying, and from that time until our de- 
re from the falls there was hardly a morning when 
dult birds did not spend an hour swooping past the 
and heaping maledictions upon the heads of the 
%e beings who had invaded their domains. 
Wm. Arthur Babson. 
[to be continued.] 
The Value of Vacations. 
iladelphia, Pa. — Editor Forest and Stream: Your 
L ial in Forest and Stream of July 2, entitled, "Rus- 
iage on Vacations," was enjoyed by me with keen 
:st, and I presume it was equally enjoyed by all 
of your readers, for I do not believe that there is 
f their number who believes that the true and total 
of life consists in an incessant, exclusive struggle 
>llars. To become a figure of national eminence as a 
stent hoarder of money is not necessarily to become 
ample for anyone to follow in the proper ideals of 
1 mention that, in his article on the "Injustice of 
:ions," he wrote : "During the eighty-eight years of 
areer, I have not once taken a vacation. I have 
been an advocate of what some term the 'vacation 
When I was a boy, the practice was not in vogue." 
ght be observed that many other practices — such as 
illionaire habit — were not in vogue eighty years ago, 
:11 as several sharp habits of finance which obtain 
present day, but as they rather favor Mr. Sage's 
:ial interests, he does not denounce them. 
attitude of Mr. Sage in the matter of vacations is 
/ithout its pathos. He is an extremely aged man, 
ilti-millionaire, possessing wealth far beyond his 
even if he lived a life of unbounded royal luxury. 
1 insatiable craving for money for its own sake, and 
abits of mind and body fixed by the efforts of a 
tie, he has come to believe sincerely that a vacation 
necessary, and that it is besides an inj ustice to the 
►yer whose employes take, or are given, a vacation. 
the strictly materialistic and utilitarian point of 
of Mr. Sage, he is in error. Let us examine what 
acation habit has directly and indirectly created, 
are in evidence the magnificent summer resorts in 
orth, and the magnificent winter resorts of Florida 
California and other places. Note the elaborate ar- 
tnents which the great railroads make to carry sum- 
mer tourists, and much of those railroad earnings goes 
into Mr. Sage's coffers. Note the mammoth ocean 
steamers, known as "floating palaces," which are made 
possible by the patronage of the tourists who are afflicted 
with the vacation habit, and we have an example of the 
world's progress, and a source whence comes a revenue 
to cancel coupons stacked up in Mr. Sage's strong boxes. 
To build those, railroads, those palace cars, those floating 
palaces, material was bought and workmen paid, and 
therefore the money of those afflicted with the "vacation 
habit" was put in circulation and conveyed prosperity and 
pleasure to society at large. Moreover, it made possible 
the payment of interest on money borrowed, which came 
in welcome response to money loaned, which came in 
unison with the life work and theme of Mr. Sage. 
But there are other considerations than mere business 
profits. Observe the color of returned health, the vivacity 
of mind, the energy and courage of mind and body which 
are a corollary of vigorous physical powers, displayed by 
those who have had a proper vacation. After a vacation, 
a man is a better workman and renders infinitely better 
service to his employer due to consequent better physical 
and mental condition, so that the short loss of time is 
more than counterbalanced by the months of greater effi- 
ciency. Ail people have not the iron constitution and 
endurance of Mr. Sage, nor have all people the relentless 
purpose of money-getting which leads one on in business 
like to a famished wolf in pursuit of prey. 
Throughout the ages, nature has indicated the need of 
rest. Even the inanimate land must lie fallow betimes, 
else it produces meagerly — that is taking a vaca- 
tion. Even in ancient . days, and in Scriptural days, 
also, the seventh day, besides being devoted to worship, 
was designated as a day of rest. It has been the best 
judgment of the most enlightened nations that periods of 
long exertion should be followed by a period of relaxa- 
tion. In modern times the strain on mind and body is 
greater than was ever known in the world's history. It is 
an age of specialization. Men must know more and work 
more than they did when Mr. Sage was a boyj hence the 
conditions which were good eighty-eight years ago may 
not be good now. Few of us would care now to wear 
the hats and shoes of our great great grandfathers. 
On other matters the world has agreed from time im- 
memorial. The school readers without fail have brief 
stories of the miser's despicable nature. He is held up as 
the superlative of all that is sordid and selfish. The plays 
of a people heap contumely on a Shylock. The man 
who preys on the industry or the necessities of a people, 
living as a parasite on the misfortune of the individual 
or the necessities incidental to the formative stages of a 
country's progress, has always been detested. A man who 
hoards money for its own sake, and who still has money 
in amount far beyond his needs, is not a useful citizen. 
Money is only of use when in circulation, or when saved 
as a reasonable provision for the necessities of the future, 
the accidents of life, or its decline. 
In my opinion, Mr. - Editor, a man whose mind is so 
narrow that it is measured exclusively by the size of a 
dollar, is not competent to give, on vacations, an opinion 
which is worth a fig. J. H. Darby. 
Mr. Scrooge and Mr. Sage. 
From' the Bookman for July. 
We have nothing to >$ay editorially about Russell Sage's widely 
quoted and discussed ^-jiaper on "The Injustice of Vacations." 
Mr. Sage certainly has a right to his opinions and to express them. 
In our mind the only question is, "Has or has not Mr. Sage been 
guilty of literary plagiarism?" 
From Charles Dickens's "A From Russell Sage's article in 
Christmas Carol." the Independent. 
At length the hour of shutting Let us assume that an em- 
up the counting house arrived. ■ ployer and his clerk made ari 
With an ill-will Scrooge dis- agreement to exchange just re- 
mounted from his stool; and muneration for reasonable ser- 
tacitly admitted the fact to the vices, and each one keeps his 
expectant clerk in the Tank, who 1 part of the agreement. Are they 
instantly snuffed his candle out, not then quits? If there is any 
and put on his hat. obligation, I think it is on the 
"You'll want all day to-mor- part of the clerk, who avails of 
row, I suppose?" said Scrooge, the credit, skill and organization 
"If quite convenient, sir." of the employer to learn a busi- 
"It's not convenient," said ness and advance himself along 
Scrooge, "and it's not fair. If a path which has already been 
I was to stop half a crown for prepared for him. What right 
it, you'd think yourself ill-used, has he, then, to demand or ex- 
I'll be bound." pect pay for two> weeks' time, for 
The clerk smiled faintly. which he renders no equivalent, 
"And yet," said Scrooge, "you not considering the serious in- 
don't think me ill-used when I convenience to which he often 
pay a day's wages for no work." puts his employer? 
The clerk observed that it was Suppose we were to reverse 
only once a year. the conventional order of things, 
"A poor excuse for picking a and, instead of the clerk de- 
man's pocket every 25th of E)e- manding two weeks' pay gratis, 
cember," said S_crooge, button- the employer should demand two 
ing his great coat to the chin. weeks' work without pay as a 
condition of retaining the clerk 
in his employ. What a tremen- 
dous howl would go up. 
L'Habitat. 
Springfield, Vt, June 29. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
Born in the lofty Alps, in that part which bears the name 
of Waldensian Valleys, I have been surprised, indeed, at 
the beauty of the hills and valleys of Vermont. How I 
would like to express my thoughts, especially after having 
had the good fortune of spending many good times in that 
very cabin which Colonel Brown has so well described, 
and of which I would like to bring out what follows. 
Colonel Brown gave a fine description of The Habitat, 
but he is too modest to speak about the beautiful time 
that guests have had there. If he has known how to ren- 
der that shack so pretty, so interesting, so beneficial, he 
has known, too, how to render it comfortable, not only 
for gentlemen, but also for ladies. 
There many a one, weary of the long city life, has found 
not only rest, but a new spring of poetry and health, and 
if we could read the hearts of those who have been there, 
we could see not only how pleasant is the situation and 
inviting is the cabin, but also how they have a sense of 
thankfulness to those who have had so beautiful an 
inspiration. 
In the record book on the fire-place shelf one may see 
how others have enjoyed their outing; and looking around 
may realize how much more there is that one may enjoy. 
There may be found silent, whispering, smiling, inspiring 
Nature in all her beauty. There one may find, as I did, 
the best recreation of mind and body ; will feel the benefit 
of the greatest and always true teacher — Nature. 
Beautiful are thy hills, O, Vermont ! and charming thy 
small mountains; but within thy border other treasures 
are hidden— those hearts that are building such retreats 
not only for their own benefit, but also to help to make the 
lire of their fellow men happier. 
In The Habitat I have spent many weeks that brought 
to my mind my earlier life in my beautiful Alps. Many 
times— although they are so different— I have compared 
the St. Bernard refuge, built by the genius of Napoleon, 
with this cabin. Here there is no dog to dig you out 
from the avalanche and offer you the brandy he carries at 
his collar; no monk to help you to go on the right side 
of the other world ; but if the St. Bernard refuge is there 
to try to keep man from death, The Habitat is here to 
give man health and life in this world. The St. Bernard 
refuge is far from civilization, not only by illusion, but 
by miles ; the Vermont cabin is only three miles from the 
hilly and pleasant Springfield, and in the nighttime one 
may count many a light shining from the surrounding 
farmhouses. The St. Bernard refuge extends its hands 
of charity to the exhausted traveler, The Habitat a smil- 
ing welcome to any human being that loves the beautiful 
and good. 
rremember many evenings, tired from a very hard 
day's work, taking a walk to the shack for the night to 
rest; and I recall one evening reaching there at eleven 
o'clock and writing some of my thoughts : 
Oh, douce et simple cabane, tu es le sejour du bonheur 
et de I 'insouciance, le meilleur retablissant pour les esprits 
fatigues et f cables. R. H. Rostan. 
A Study of Wrens. 
Early one spring a few years ago two wren boxes 
were set up in my rear yard, one on a pole near a large 
apple tree, the other in a half decayed peach tree about 
three lee'.t from my study window. This was in a town 
of northeastern Kansas. Though the house was right 
m the midst of the residence portion of the city, it was 
surrounded by a spacious yard, with plenty of tall trees, 
and a small orchard in the rear. The boxes were pre- 
pared early in the spring, so as to be ready for occupancy 
when the house wrens should arrive from the South, 
whither they had gone to spend the winter. 
The doorways of the little apartments were purposely 
made small enough to bar out the impudent English 
sparrows, mid therefore they and the wrens did not at 
any time come into serious conflict. The sparrows flew 
to the boxes, peered into the narrow doorways, perhaps 
tried to gam admission, but in vain, then made off with a 
series of resentful chirps, which were meant to express 
their candid opinion of anyone who would treat them in 
so paganish a way. 
The latter part of April brought a pair of house wrens 
to the premises— no doubt the same couple that had built 
their nest the previous spring in one of the outbuildings. 
Only a short time elapsed before they were diligently in- 
specting the boxes; first scuttling over the exterior, ex- 
amining every part with elaborate care to make sure 
there was no trap about them; then slipping into the in- 
terior and giving it a like thorough scrutiny. What in- 
fluenced their choice I do not know, but presently thev 
selected the box in the peach tree, and went to work with 
might and main to prepare themselves a domicile. 
The female was an industrious worker. While her 
spouse assisted her at intervals, most of his time had to 
be given up to song, perhaps Tor the purpose of cheering 
his mate in her arduous toil. Whatever others may think 
of it, I like the house wren's little sonatas, which roll 
and gurgle in a rich tremolo from his palpitating throat, 
causing him to quiver from beak tip to tail" tip to produce 
them. And' then he is so lavish of his minstrelsy, keep- 
ing it up from dawn to dusk! The female also sings, and 
I must admit that I am unable to distinguish between her 
roundels and those of her lord, though, as she is busy 
with her housewifely duties, she has not so much time for 
singing as he, but simply punctuates her work here and 
there with a dash of music. Having placed a twig in its 
pioper place in the box, she may pause a moment on the 
little porch and gurgle a happy tune before she. darts 
down for another timber. 
This leads me to describe the architectural methods of 
the little dame of the peach tree box. Madam wren al- 
ways wants the- cavity in which she erects her cottage 
to be well filled up; she does not fancy a great big empty 
room for enemies or ghosts to lurk in — at least, that is 
the natural interpretation of her conduct. 
Therefore, following the vogue of the species, the little 
wren proceeded to carry twigs into the box. She found 
the twigs on the ground, to which they had fallen from 
the trees. The box was all of fourteen feet from the 
ground, yet she would often fly almost straight up to the 
little porch with a good-sized twig in her beak. How- 
ever, her usual method was to fly up to a twig of the 
tree, then to another, then to the box. Some of her ex- 
ploits on the wing were interesting and a little surprising, 
for she would often dart up toward the bottom of the 
box, glide around the side, and alight on the top, thus 
describing almost or quite a semi-circle; always, too, 
with a twig in her bill. 
She had a great time getting some of her timbers 
through the tiny doorway. Of course they had to be 
put in endwise, but some of them were long and crooked, 
and in order to fly up with them she had to take them 
as near the middle as possible, so that the ends would 
balance ; then when she would fry to go in .through the 
narrow entrance, the twigs would catch at the sides. 
There was always danger, too, of a long and heavy twig 
— heavy for her— slipping from her hold on the little 
veranda and falling to the ground. In spite of her ut- 
most vigilance and skill, a twig would sometimes escape 
her, and she would dart down after it like an animated 
bullet. 
It happened more than once that she was not able to 
carry an obstinate twig with her into the box, especially 
after the interior had been somewhat filled up; in which 
case she would force one end in a short distance, then go 
in herself and tug at the stick until it was pulled to its 
desired place in the mound. If ever a bird made a slave 
