COLORADO FAUNA 
23 
fact that the nut had a large hole gnawed in one 
side, and that the little fellow was apparently on 
the qui vive for intruders, made the illusion of 
life seem perfect. 
On the lower shelf of the cabinet, just above 
the floor, she arranged some of the larger speci- 
mens, so as to represent a ledge of rocks just 
over a stream. On it was a group of young 
ducks, in the attitude those little creatures take 
when enjoying a tranquil sunning — all save one, 
who was a picture of terror, having caught sight 
of a sly weasel creeping around the corner of the 
rock. 
Other rooms were enlivened in a similar man- 
ner, until each was in itself a study. 
MjkN the spring of 1868, Mrs. Maxwell found her- 
self a second time in Colorado. Having 
comparative leisure, she was inspired with a desire 
to make a collection of its fauna as being the 
most useful and practical way in which she could 
embody her new enthusiasm. It seemed espe- 
cially desirable this work should be done, from 
the fact that the strange and curious animals 
peculiar to its plains and mountains were rapidly 
disappearing. 
At first she depended upon her husband and 
