which I now was walking was free of any trees. Here there were a few small killdeer, and one killdeer like bird, much larger. He had an odd way of jogging his head up and down that was wholly ridiculous. Half way down the lake I could see the wild duck flock floating on the water. I determined this time to see them take off from the water, so I walked along with my eyes riveted steadily on them, which made walking a little difficult. It was not long until they sensed my approach, and took off with a great clatter & splashing. They flew low at first, northward, in front of the varicolored woods, and then wheeled back and forth again & again, going higher & higher. At one stage, their shadows were cast on the tree-tops below - a secondary elusive flock! Gradually they settled down again at the north end of the water, and the resulting silence was profound. There were three ducks left along the shore that allowed me to approach very near before they became alarmed.
     The rest of the walk was more or less uneventful. On the return from the lake I found more mushrooms which I couldn’t resist picking. I was amused at the antics of a farmer in a distant field, who was chasing a herd of cattle out of his winter wheat. In a frenzy of rage he threw rocks and vile curses indiscriminately.