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tion which he seems to thoroughly enjoy. He will even come to Mr. Van Sant’s hand and crowd under it. It is surprising how he has responded to a little effort
toward making his acquaintance; we have heretofore regarded Linus as rather a morose
little dub. However, so far as Elizabeth and myself are concerned, we have made no
effort at any time to “tame” our various birds and animals, preferring to enjoy such
confidence as was offered us, without making any special bid for it.

It is interesting to contrast this winter, when Linus was not given a box of earth
and remained active all winter, with last year, when he was given such a box, promptly
burrowed into it, and spent 155 days asleep! — or at least not receiving company.
We know positively that last year during the period names he had not one drop of water;
this winter he has been frequently drinking from the pan of water which is kept in
the bird-room.

Snow again; but is is rapidly disappearing.

Flickers and mourning doves are here.

First purple martins; and in the evening we hear the first frogs of the season.

A beautiful Sunday, and one with lots of natural history. My first effort in the direction
was the capture of nine tiger beetles; they are common on the south loess bank.

Next on the list was a series of observations on a pair of skunks — fancy that! —
which have made our cow-shed and apparently our whole premises their home, quite unknown
to use. Clark was moving some bales of hay in the shed when he saw one of them, and called me.
The skunk had run under a board which supported a pile of bales in the corner of