1900




TO KILLOOLEET, Little Sweet-Voice,
who shares my camp and
makes sunshine as I work and play.





PREFACE.


The following sketches, like the "Ways of Wood Folk," are the
result of many years of personal observation in the woods and
fields. They are studies of animals, pure and simple, not of
animals with human motives and imaginations.

Indeed, it is hardly necessary for genuine interest to give human
traits to the beasts. Any animal is interesting enough as an
animal, and has character enough of his own, without borrowing
anything from man--as one may easily find out by watching long
enough.

Most wild creatures have but small measure of gentleness in them,
and that only by instinct and at short stated seasons. Hence I