Walden: Winter Animals

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Walden: Winter Animals

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  • Princeton_Ed: Princeton Ed. of Walden
  • Version_A: Walden, Version A (1847)
  • Version_B: Walden, Version B (1849)
  • Version_C: Walden, Version C (1849)
  • Version_D: Walden, Version D (1852)
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Winter Animals
1
Winter Animals 1 written: F rewritten: F
F: Winter Animals” follows “House-Warming” and precedes “Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors.” The title “Animals” is inserted at the top of the original leaf containing Winter Animals 1. The title “Winter Animals” appears at the top of the leaf containing the fair copy of Winter Animals 1.

(Ronald Clapper)
WHEN the ponds were firmly frozen, they afforded not only a new and shorter route routes new and shorter routes new and shorter routes to many points, but new views from their r
Revision note: F1: midst
midst surfaces
surfaces surfaces
of the familiar landscape around them. r
Revision note: F1: Sometimes When
Sometimes when
When When
I crossed Flint’s Pond, the first time this winter, it being after it was after it was after it was covered with snow, though I had often paddled about and skated over it, it r
Revision note: F1: was appeared
appeared was
was was
so unexpectedly wide and so strange that I could think of nothing but Baffin’s Bay. The Lincoln hills rose up around me at the extremity of a snowy plain, in which I did not remember to have stood before; and r
Revision note: F1: in misty weather the fishermen
in misty weather the fishermen
the fishermen, the fishermen,
at an indeterminable distance over the ice over the ice, over the ice, moving slowly about like sealers about about with their wolfish dogs, r
Revision note: F1: loomed up like something fabulous and incredible creatures of northern mythology
passed for sealers or Esquimaux, or in misty weather loomed like fabulous creatures
passed for sealers or Esquimaux, or in misty weather loomed like fabulous creatures, passed for sealers or Esquimaux, or in misty weather loomed like fabulous creatures,
and I did not know whether they would prove were were were giants or pygmies. I took this course when I went to lecture in Lincoln in the evening, travelling in no road and passing no house between my own hut and the lecture r
Revision note: F1: room 2 or 3 miles distant, for there was no house between
room 2 or 3 miles distant
room. room.
In Goose Pond, which lay in my r
Revision note: F1: way to Flint’s
way to Flint’s
way, way,
a colony of muskrats dwelt, and raised their cabins high above the ice, though none could be seen abroad when I crossed it. Walden, being like the rest usually bare of snow, r
Revision note: F1: or with only shallow & interrupted drift flakes on it
or with only shallow & interrupted drift flakes drifts on it
or with only shallow and interrupted drifts on it, or with only shallow and interrupted drifts on it,
was my yard, where I could walk freely when the snow was r
Revision note: F1:
nearly
nearly nearly
two feet deep on a level r
Revision note: F1: in the woods and fields
in the woods and fields elsewhere
elsewhere elsewhere
and the villagers were confined to their streets. There, far from the village street, and except at very long intervals, from the jingle of sleigh-bells, I slid and skated, as in a vast moose-yard well trodden, overhung by oak woods and solemn pines bent down with snow or bristling with icicles.
2a
Winter Animals 2a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
For sounds in winter nights, and often in winter days, and often in winter days, and often in winter days, I heard the forlorn but melodious note of the hooting owl of which I have spoken a hooting owl a hooting owl indefinitely far; such a sound seemingly sound sound as the frozen earth would yield if struck with a suitable plectrum, the very lingua vernacula of Walden Wood, and quite familiar to me at last, though I never saw the bird while it was making it, and I am not quite sure whether it was a cat or a horned owl. It is usually called the hooting owl making it. making it. I seldom opened my door in a winter or even a summer winter winter evening without hearing it; Hoo hoo hoo, hoorer hoo , sounded sonorously, and the first three syllables accented somewhat like how der do ; or sometimes hoo hoo only. One night in the beginning of winter, before the pond froze over, about nine o’clock, I was startled by the loud honking of a goose, and, stepping to the door, heard the sound of their wings like a tempest in the woods as they flew low over my house. and as they They They passed over the pond toward Fair Haven, seemingly deterred from settling by my light, their commodore honking all the while with a regular beat. Suddenly an unmistakable cat-owl from very near me, 2b
Winter Animals 2b written: A rewritten: F
A: Five leaves (#163-171) are missing between Brute Neighbors 16a and Winter Animals 2b.

(Ronald Clapper)
with the most harsh and tremendous voice I ever heard from any inhabitant of the wood woods, woods, woods, woods, woods, woods, woods, responded at regular intervals to the goose, as if determined to disgrace and expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace this intruder from Hudson’s Bay by exhibiting a greater compass and volume of voice in a native, and boo-hoo him out of Concord horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon.— (, did I say?) horizon. horizon. What do you mean by alarming the citadel at this time of night consecrated to me? Do you think I am ever caught napping at such an hour as this hour as this hour as this hour as this hour as this hour as this hour, hour, and that I have not got lungs and a larynx as well as yourself? Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo ! I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before It was the most thrilling discord I ever heard. Yet And still if you had a discriminating ear, there were in it the elements of a Concord such as these plains never saw or heard, which
 
“Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
 
In every , that should move
 
The stones of Walden shore to rise & mutiny.”
It was one of the most thrilling discords I ever heard. And yet, if you had a discriminating ear, there were in it the elements of a concord such as these plains never saw nor heard. It was one of the most thrilling discords I ever heard. And yet, if you had a discriminating ear, there were in it the elements of a concord such as these plains never saw nor heard.
3
Winter Animals 3 written: A rewritten: F
A: Winter Animals 3 appears as follows. I also heard The booming whooping of the ice in the pond—my great bed-fellow in that part of Concord—as if it were restless in its bed, and would fain turn over—it was werehypsy, and nervous troubled with flatulency and did not sleep well—and or I was waked by the cracking of the ground by the frost —these were other memorable sounds in a winter night which sounded as if some one had driven a team against my house door & in the morning I would find found a crack in the earth ¼ of a mile long

(Ronald Clapper)
I also heard the whooping of the ice in the pond, my great bed-fellow in that part of Concord, as if it were restless in its bed and would fain turn over, were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were were troubled with flatulency and did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams bad dreams; bad dreams; or I was waked by the cracking of the ground by the frost, as if some one had driven a team against my door, and in the morning found would find found would find found would find found would find found would find found would find would find would find a crack in the earth a quarter of a mile long and half a third of half a third of half a third of half a third of half a third of half a third of a third of a third of an inch wide.
4
Winter Animals 4 written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes as they ranged over the snow crust in moonlight nights Sometimes I heard the foxes as they ranged over the snow crust, in moonlight nights, Sometimes I heard the foxes as they ranged over the snow crust, in moonlight nights, in search of a partridge or other game, barking raggedly and demoniacally like forest dogs, as if if if if if if if if laboring with some anxiety, or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or seeking expression, or seeking expression, struggling for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and to be dogs outright and run freely in the streets; for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men?for if we take the ages into our account may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? They even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even seemed like imperfect & rudimental to be rudimental seemed to me to be rudimental, seemed to me to be rudimental, burrowing men, still standing on their defence, awaiting their transformation. Sometimes one came near to my window, at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and in the night, attracted by my light, and attracted by my light, attracted by my light, barked a vulpine curse at me, and then retreated.
5
Winter Animals 5 written: A rewritten: F
A: In the passage he would be in the top of a young pitch-pine … and skillfully balancing it he, “he,” “him,” and “himself” were originally “it,” “it,” and “itself.” The neuter pronouns were canceled and the masculine pronouns interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
Usually the red squirrel Sciurus Hudsonius (Sciurus Hudsonius) (Sciurus Hudsonius) waked me in the dawn, coursing over the roof and up and down the sides of my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my the house, by fits and starts, the house, the house, as if sent out of the woods on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on for this purpose to arouse me for this purpose. for this purpose. During In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of of the winter I threw out some half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of sweet-corn, which had never not never not never not never not never not not never not not not got ripe, upon on to on to on to on to on to on to on to on to the snow crust by my door, and was amused by watching the motions of the various animals that that that that that that which which were baited by it. In the twilight and the night the rabbits came regularly and made a hearty meal. By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light, and in fact all All All day long the red squirrels came and went, and afforded me much entertainment by their manœuvres. One would approach at first warily through the shrub- oaks, running over the snow crust by fits and starts like a leaf blown by the wind, now a few paces this way, with wonderful speed and waste of energy, making inconceivable haste with his “trotters,” as if it were for a wager, and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but never getting on more than half a rod at a time; and then suddenly pausing with a ludicrous expression and a gratuitous somerset, as if all the eyes in the universe were fixed upon on on on on on on on on him,— for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most silent and darkest solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,—in short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl, for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl, —wasting more time in delay and circumspection than would have sufficed to walk the whole distance,— I never saw one walk,—and then suddenly, before you could say Jack Robinson, he would be in the tip top top top top top top top top of a young pitch-pine, screwing screwing screwing screwing screwing screwing winding winding winding up his clock and chiding all imaginary spectators, and soliloquizing & talking to all the universe and itself at the same time soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, —for no reason that I could ever detect, or he himself was aware of, I suspect. At length he reached reached reached reached reached reached would reach would reach would reach the corn, and selecting a suitable ear, would frisk would frisk would frisk would frisk would frisk would frisk frisk frisk about in the same uncertain trigonometrical way to the top-most stick of my wood-pile, before my window, looking where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked me in the face, and there sit for hours, supplying himself with a new ear from time to time, supplying himself with a new ear from time to time, supplying himself with a new ear from time to time, nibbling at first voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously voraciously and throwing the half-naked cobs about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about; about; till at length he grew more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still and played with his food, tasting only the inside of the kernel, and the ear, which was held balanced over the stick by one paw, slipped from his careless grasp and fell to the ground, when he would look over at it uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty with a ludicrous expression of uncertainty with a ludicrous expression of uncertainty, with a ludicrous expression of uncertainty, as if suspecting that it had life, with a mind not made up whether to get it again, or a new one, or be off; now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. And so And so And so And so And so And so So So the little impudent fellow would waste many an ear in a forenoon; till at last, seizing some longer and plumper one, considerably bigger than himself, and skilfully balancing it, he would set out with it to the woods, like a tiger with a buffalo, by the same zig-zag course and frequent pauses, He scratched scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching along with it as if it were too heavy for him and falling all the while, making its fall a diagonal between a perpendicular and horizontal, being determined to put it through at any rate;— a singularly frivolous and whimsical fellow;— and so he would get off with it to where he lived, and and and and and and perhaps perhaps perhaps carry it to the top of a pine tree forty or fifty rods distant, and I afterwards noticed would afterwards notice would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find the cobs strewn about the woods in various directions.
6a
Winter Animals 6a written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
At length also length length length length length length length the jays arrive, whose discordant screams had been were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard long before, as they were warily making their approach a quarter an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth of a mile off, and in a stealthy sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly and sneaking and sneaking manner they drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick draw near flitting from tree to tree and pick flit from tree to tree, nearer and nearer, and pick flit from tree to tree, nearer and nearer, and pick up the kernels which the squirrels have dropped. Then, sitting on a pitch-pine bough, they attempt to swallow in their haste a kernel which 6b
Winter Animals 6b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
is too big for their throats and chokes them; and after great labor they disgorge it, and spend an hour in the endeavor to crack it by repeated blows with their bills. They were manifestly thieves, and I had not much respect for them; but the squirrels, though at first shy, went to work as if they were taking what was their own.
7a
Winter Animals 7a written: F rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Meanwhile also came the chickadees in flocks, and which which picking up the crumbs the squirrels had dropped, they flew flew flew to the nearest twig, and placing them under their claws, hammered away at them with their little bills, in order to reduce them still further, bills, bills, as if it were an insect in the bark, till they were sufficiently reduced for their slender throats. A little flock of these tit-mice came daily to pick a dinner out of my wood-pile, or the crumbs at my door, with faint flitting lisping r
Revision note: F1: song
song notes
notes, notes,
like the tinkling of icicles in the grass, r
Revision note: F1:
or else
or else or else
with sprightly day day day or r
Revision note: F1: sometimes a
sometimes more rarely in spring-like days a
more rarely, in spring-like days, a more rarely, in spring-like days, a
wiry summery phe - be from the wood-side. They were so familiar that at length one alighted on an armful of wood which I was carrying in, and pecked at the sticks without fear. I r
Revision note: F1: had once had
had once had
once had once had
a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment while I was hoeing in a village garden, r
Revision note: F1: in the summer, and I felt myself more distinguished by this circumstance than
in the summer, and I felt myself that I was more distinguished by this thatcircumstance than I should have been
and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been
by any epaulet I could have worn. 7b
Winter Animals 7b written: A rewritten: F, F
A & F: Winter Animals 7b follows Winter Animals 5 and precedes Spring 12 in A and in the original copying of F; it was recopied in its present position on a new leaf in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
All the emotions and the life of the squirrel imply spectators—They The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels also also also grew at last to be quite familiar, and sometimes occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally stepped upon my shoe, when that was the nearest way.
8
Winter Animals 8 written: E rewritten: F, F
E & F: [Winter Animals 8 followed Winter Animals 7a in E and in the original copying of F; when Winter Animals 7b was inserted in its present position, a fair copy was made of only When the ground was not yet … I used to start them in the open.

(Ronald Clapper)
When the ground was not yet quite covered, and again near the end of winter, when the snow was melted on my south hill-side and about my wood-pile, the partridges came out of the woods morning and evening to feed there. When the ground was not yet quite covered, and again near the end of winter, when the snow was melted on my south hill-side and about my wood-pile, the partridges came out of the woods morning and evening to feed there. When the ground was not yet quite covered, and again near the end of winter, when the snow was melted on my south hill-side and about my wood-pile, the partridges came out of the woods morning and evening to feed there. Whichever way side you walk in the woods the partridge bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snowy dust snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high—which comes sifting down in the sunbeams like a golden mist golden dust r
Revision note: F1: side you walk walked in the woods the partridge bursts burst away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high which comes came sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust
side you walked walk in the woods the partridge burst bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high, which came comes sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust
side you walk in the woods the partridge bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high, which comes sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust; side you walk in the woods the partridge bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high, which comes sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust;
for this brave bird is not to be scared by winter. Audubon One observer says that it “is often snowed up and covered over; or r
Revision note: F1: One observer says that it “is often snowed up and covered over; or
One observer says that it “is often snowed up and covered over; or It is frequently covered up by drifts, and, it is said
It is frequently covered up by drifts, and, it is said, It is frequently covered up by drifts, and, it is said,
“sometimes plunges from on wing into the soft snow, where it remains concealed for a day or two.” I used to start them in the open land when when also where also, where also, where they had come out of the woods at sunset to “bud” the wild apple- trees. They will come regularly every evening to particular trees, where the cunning sportsman lies in wait for them, and and and the distant orchards next the woods suffer thus not a little. If you ask the farmer why he gets no more fruit, he will tell you it is because his trees are so severely budded by the partridges little. If you ask the farmer why he gets no more fruit, he will tell you it is because his trees are so severely budded by the partridges. But little. little. I am glad that the partridge gets fed, at any rate. It is Nature’s own bird that that which which which lives on buds and diet-drink.
9
Winter Animals 9 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only in dark winter mornings … a fox pursued by hounds burst out on to.

(Ronald Clapper)
In dark winter mornings, or or or in short winter afternoons, I sometimes heard a pack of hounds threading all the woods with hounding cry and yelp, unable to resist the instinct of the chase, and the note of the hunting horn at intervals, showing that man too is showing roving that man too is was proving that man was proving that man was in the rear. The woods would ring again and yet no fox bursts burst bursts would ring again and yet no fox bursts burst bursts ring again, and yet no fox bursts ring again, and yet no fox bursts forth on to the open level of the pond, nor following pack pursuing their Actæon. And perchance at evening I see perchance perhaps at evening I see saw see perhaps at evening I see perhaps at evening I see the hunters returning with a single brush trailing from their sleigh for a trophy, seeking their inn. The hunters tell me If the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth, the hunters tell me, he would be safe enough The hunters They tell me that if the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth, he would be safe enough They tell me that if the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth he would be safe, They tell me that if the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth he would be safe, or if he would run in a straight line away no fox-hound could overtake him; but, having left his pursuers far behind, he stops to rest and listen till they come up, again, and meanwhile when he runs he again, and when he runs he and when he runs he and when he runs he circles round to his old haunts, where the hunters await him. Nevertheless he practices shows considerable cunning, for he will sometimes Nevertheless he shows considerable cunning, for he will sometimes Sometimes, however, he will Sometimes, however, he will Sometimes, however, he will run upon a wall many rods, and then leap off far to one side, and he appears to know that water will obliterate not retain not retain not retain not retain his scent. One hunter tells A hunter told A hunter told A hunter told A hunter told me that he once saw a fox pursued by hounds burst out on to Walden when the ice was covered with shallow puddles, run he ran part way across & then return returned run part way across, and then return run part way across, and then return run part way across, and then return to the same shore. Ere long the hounds arrived, but here they lost the scent. Sometimes a pack of hounds pack pack pack hunting by themselves would pass my door, and circle round my house, and yelp and hound without regarding me, as if afflicted by a species of madness, so that nothing could divert them from the pursuit. Thus they circle until they fall on upon upon upon upon the recent trail of a fox, for for for for a wise hound will forsake every thing else for this. One day a man came to my hut from Lexington Sometimes a hunter man would come to my hut from a neighboring town One day a man came to my hut from Lexington One day a man came to my hut from Lexington One day a man came to my hut from Lexington to inquire after his hound that made a large track, and had been hunting for a week by himself. But I fear that he was not the wiser for all I told him, for every time I attempted to answer his questions he interrupted me by asking, “What do you do here?” He had lost a dog, but found a man. by himself. But I fear that he was not the wiser for all I told him, for every time I attempted to answer his questions he interrupted me by asking, “What do you do here?” He had lost a dog, but found a man. by himself. But I fear that he was not the wiser for all I told him, for every time I attempted to answer his questions he interrupted me by asking, “What do you do here?” He had lost a dog, but found a man.
10
Winter Animals 10 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
One old hunter who has a dry tongue, who sometimes used to come to in Walden once every year when the water was warmest, and at such times used to come to in Walden once every year when the water was warmest, and at such times used to come to in Walden once every year when the water was warmest, and at such times looked in upon me, told me, that many years ago he took his gun one afternoon and went out for a cruise in Walden Wood; and as he walked the Wayland road he heard the cry of hounds approaching, and presently ere long ere long ere long a fox leaped the wall into the road, and as quick as thoughts thought thought thought thought leaped the other wall out of the road, and his swift bullet had not touched him. then following some Some Some Some way behind came an old hound and her three pups in full pursuit, hunting on their own account, and disappeared again in the woods. Late in the afternoon, as he was resting in the thick woods beyond south of south of south of south of Walden, he heard the voice of the hounds far over toward Fair Haven still pursuing the fox; and on they came, their hounding cry which made all the woods ring sounding nearer and nearer, now from Well-Meadow, now from the Baker Farm. For a long time he stood still and listened to their music, so sweet to a hunter’s ear, when suddenly the fox appeared, with coursing pace, and threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by a sympathetic rustle of the leaves, swift and still, keeping the ground, leaving his pursuers far behind; and, leaping upon a rock amid the woods, he sat erect and and and and listening, with his back to the hunter. For a moment compassion restrained the latter’s arm; but that was a short-lived mood, and as quick as thought can follow thought his piece was levelled, and whang! —the fox rolling over the rock lay dead on the ground. The hunter still kept his place and listened to the hounds. Still on they came, and now the near woods resounded through all their aisles with their demoniac cry. At length the old hound burst into view with muzzle to the ground, and snapping the air as if possessed, and ran directly to the rock; but spying the fox dead on the ground dead fox dead fox dead fox she suddenly ceased her hounding, as if struck dumb with amazement, and walked round and round him in silence; and one by one her pups arrived, and, like their mother, were sobered into silence by the mystery. Then the hunter came forward and stood in the midst of the dogs their midst their midst, their midst, their midst, and the mystery was solved. They waited in silence while he skinned the fox, then followed the brush a while, and at length turned off into the woods again. That evening a Squire came to the Concord hunter’s cottage to inquire for his hounds, and told how for a week they had been hunting on their own account from Weston woods. The Concord hunter told him what he knew and offered him the skin; but the other declined it and departed. He did not find his hounds that night, but the next day he learned learned learned learned that they had crossed the river and put up at a farm-house for the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning. the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning. the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning. the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning.
11a
Winter Animals 11a written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
The hunter who told me this could remember one Sam Nutting, who used to hunt bears on Fair Haven Ledges, and exchange their skins for rum in Concord village; r
Revision note: F1: Nay, he said told him
Nay, he who told him
who told him, who told him,
even, that he had seen a moose there. Nutting had a famous fox-hound named Burgoyne,—he pronounced it Bugine,—which my informant used to borrow. 11b
Winter Animals 11b written: F rewritten: G
F: Winter Animals 11b is interlined.
F & G: in his ledger, Feb. 7th, 1743, Hezekiah Stratton has credit “by ½ a Catt skin 0—1—4½:” of course, a wild-cat does not appear in the manuscript in F or in the original copying of G but is interlined in G; for Stratton was a sergeant in the old French war, and would not have got credit for hunting less noble game does not appear in the manuscript in F or in the original copying of G but is interlined in pencil in G.

(Ronald Clapper)
In “Mr Ephraim Jones His Wast Book Anno Domini 1742” In “Mr Ephraim Jones His Wast Book Anno Domini 1742” In the “Wast Book” of an old trader of this town who was also a Captain, Town Clerk & Representative In the “Wast Book” of an old trader of this town, who was also a captain, town-clerk, and representative, I find the following entries entries entry. Jan. 18th, 1742-3, “John Melven Cr. by 1 Grey Fox 0-2-3;” Feb. 14 1743 Aaron Parker is cr by 100 squirell skins 0—6—3 Feb. 14 1743 Aaron Parker is cr by 100 squirell skins 0—6—3 they are not now found here; and in his ledger, Feb. 7th, 1743, Hezekiah Stratton has credit “by ½ a Catt skin 0-1-4 ½;” of course, a wild-cat, for Stratton was a sergeant in the old French war, and would not have got credit for hunting less noble game. Deer skins were daily sold probably to make breeches and mittens of Deer skins were daily sold probably to make breeches and mittens of Or was given for deer skins & they were daily sold Credit is given for deer skins also, and they were daily sold. 11c
Winter Animals 11c written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
One man still preserves the horns of the last deer that was killed in this vicinity, r
Revision note: F1: and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged These are pleasant memorials of the past
and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged. These are pleasant memorials of the past.
and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged. and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged.
The hunters were formerly a merry and a numerous numerous and merry numerous and merry crew here. I remember r
Revision note: F1:
well well
one gaunt Nimrod in my boyhood who would catch up a leaf by the roadside, when I was a boy, who would catch up a leaf by the road-side who would catch up a leaf by the road-side and play a strain on it wilder and more melodious, if my memory serves me, than any hunting horn.
12
Winter Animals 12 written: F rewritten: F, G
F1: Winter Animals 12 is followed by Brute Neighbors 15 and House-Warming 18a.
F2 & G: Winter Animals 12 is followed by House-Warming 18a.

(Ronald Clapper)
At midnight, when there was a moon, I r
Revision note: F1: used sometimes to meet
used sometimes to meet
used sometimes to meet sometimes met sometimes met
with hounds in my path prowling about the woods, which would skulk out of my way, as if afraid, and stand silent amid the bushes till I had passed.
13a
Winter Animals 13a written: A rewritten: E, F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
Squirrels & wild mice also disputed for my store of nuts Squirrels and wild mice disputed for my store of nuts. There were scores of pitch-pines in my field around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, from one to three three three three three three four four inches in diameter, which had been gnawed by the mice the mice the mice the mice mice or moles mice or moles mice or moles mice the previous winter it was winter, winter, winter, winter, winter, winter, winter, —a Norwegian winter for them, for the snow lay long and deep, and they had were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged to mix a large proportion of pine meal bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark with their other diet. These trees were alive and apparently flourishing at midsummer, and had many of them many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had grown a foot, though completely girdled; and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
but after another winter such were without exception dead. I think it is Herodotus who remarks that pines do not spring up again from the root when cut down; but I have observed that sometimes when a young white pine is broken off though very near the ground its branches come upward, and often one of them takes the place of the leading stem which is gone. but after another winter such were without exception dead. but after another winter such were without exception dead. but after another winter such were without exception dead.
13b
Winter Animals 13b written: E rewritten: F
E: Winter Animals 13a and 13b follow Brute Neighbors 9b; Winter Animals 13b is interlined in pencil.
F: Winter Animals 13a and 13b are interlined in their present order.

(Ronald Clapper)
It is remarkable that a single mouse should thus be allowed a whole pine tree for its dinner, gnawing round instead of up and down it; gnawing round instead of up and down it; gnawing round instead of up and down it; but perhaps it is necessary in order to thin these trees, which are wont to spring grow grow grow up densely.
14a
Winter Animals 14a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The hares ( Lepus Americanus ) were very familiar and when I came home late at night one would commonly go off with a squeak and a bounce from my door familiar. familiar. One had her form under my house all winter, separated from me only by the flooring, and she aroused startled startled startled me each morning by her hasty departure when I began to stir,— thump, thump, thump, striking her head against the floor floor floor timbers in her hurry. They used to come round my door at dusk to nibble the potato parings which I had thrown out, and were so nearly the color of the ground that they could hardly be distinguished when still. Sometimes in the twilight I alternately lost and recovered sight of one sitting motionless under my window. When 14b
Winter Animals 14b written: A rewritten: F
A: Winter Animals 14b follows a missing leaf (#179). In the passage its vigor and the dignity … Such then was its, “its” was originally “his,” “His” was canceled and “its” was interlined in pencil]
F: A fair copy was made of only I opened my door in the evening … almost dropsical. I took a.

(Ronald Clapper)
I opened my door in the evening, off they would go with a squeak and a bounce. They only excited my pity near at hand Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. One evening one sat by my door three two two two two two two two paces from me, at first trembling with fear, yet unwilling to move; a poor wee thing, lean and bony, with ragged ears and sharp nose, scant tail and slender paws. It looked as if Nature no longer contained the breed of nobler bloods, but the earth stood on its last legs stood or her last legs toes stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. Its large eyes looked looked looked looked looked looked appeared appeared appeared young and unhealthy, almost dropsical. I took two steps—and lo! he scud away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud with an elastic spring over the snow crust, straightening its body and its limbs into graceful length, and soon put the forest between me and itself,— the wild free venison, asserting its vigor and the dignity integrity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity of Nature. Not without reason was its slenderness. Such then was its nature. (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.)
15
Winter Animals 15 written: A
A: The partridge and the rabbit … a poor country indeed that does not support a hare is interlined; Our woods teem with them both … which some cow-boy tends is interlined in pencil. Winter Animals 15 is followed by Pond in Winter 16, three missing leaves (#183-187), and Former Inhabitants 10b.

(Ronald Clapper)
What is a country without rabbits and partridges? They are among the most natural and simple of among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous animal products; ancient and venerable families known to antiquity as to modern times; of the very hue and substance of Nature, nearest allied to leaves and to the ground,— and especially moreover and and and and and and and to one another; it is either winged or it is legged. It is hardly as if you had seen a wild creature when a rabbit or a partridge burst away—but bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, only a natural one, as much to be expected as rustling leaves. The partridge and the rabbit are still sure to thrive, like true natives of the soil, whatever revolutions occur. If the forest is cut off, the sprouts and bushes which spring up afford them concealment, and they become more numerous than ever. That must be a poor country indeed that does not support a hare. Our woods teem with them both, and around every swamp may be seen the partridge or rabbit walk, beset with twiggy fences with their horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair snares, which some cow-boy tends.
XVersion
Winter Animals
1
Winter Animals 1 written: F rewritten: F
F: Winter Animals” follows “House-Warming” and precedes “Former Inhabitants; and Winter Visitors.” The title “Animals” is inserted at the top of the original leaf containing Winter Animals 1. The title “Winter Animals” appears at the top of the leaf containing the fair copy of Winter Animals 1.

(Ronald Clapper)
WHEN the ponds were firmly frozen, they afforded not only a new and shorter route routes new and shorter routes new and shorter routes to many points, but new views from their r
Revision note: F1: midst
midst surfaces
surfaces surfaces
of the familiar landscape around them. r
Revision note: F1: Sometimes When
Sometimes when
When When
I crossed Flint’s Pond, the first time this winter, it being after it was after it was after it was covered with snow, though I had often paddled about and skated over it, it r
Revision note: F1: was appeared
appeared was
was was
so unexpectedly wide and so strange that I could think of nothing but Baffin’s Bay. The Lincoln hills rose up around me at the extremity of a snowy plain, in which I did not remember to have stood before; and r
Revision note: F1: in misty weather the fishermen
in misty weather the fishermen
the fishermen, the fishermen,
at an indeterminable distance over the ice over the ice, over the ice, moving slowly about like sealers about about with their wolfish dogs, r
Revision note: F1: loomed up like something fabulous and incredible creatures of northern mythology
passed for sealers or Esquimaux, or in misty weather loomed like fabulous creatures
passed for sealers or Esquimaux, or in misty weather loomed like fabulous creatures, passed for sealers or Esquimaux, or in misty weather loomed like fabulous creatures,
and I did not know whether they would prove were were were giants or pygmies. I took this course when I went to lecture in Lincoln in the evening, travelling in no road and passing no house between my own hut and the lecture r
Revision note: F1: room 2 or 3 miles distant, for there was no house between
room 2 or 3 miles distant
room. room.
In Goose Pond, which lay in my r
Revision note: F1: way to Flint’s
way to Flint’s
way, way,
a colony of muskrats dwelt, and raised their cabins high above the ice, though none could be seen abroad when I crossed it. Walden, being like the rest usually bare of snow, r
Revision note: F1: or with only shallow & interrupted drift flakes on it
or with only shallow & interrupted drift flakes drifts on it
or with only shallow and interrupted drifts on it, or with only shallow and interrupted drifts on it,
was my yard, where I could walk freely when the snow was r
Revision note: F1:
nearly
nearly nearly
two feet deep on a level r
Revision note: F1: in the woods and fields
in the woods and fields elsewhere
elsewhere elsewhere
and the villagers were confined to their streets. There, far from the village street, and except at very long intervals, from the jingle of sleigh-bells, I slid and skated, as in a vast moose-yard well trodden, overhung by oak woods and solemn pines bent down with snow or bristling with icicles.
2a
Winter Animals 2a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
For sounds in winter nights, and often in winter days, and often in winter days, and often in winter days, I heard the forlorn but melodious note of the hooting owl of which I have spoken a hooting owl a hooting owl indefinitely far; such a sound seemingly sound sound as the frozen earth would yield if struck with a suitable plectrum, the very lingua vernacula of Walden Wood, and quite familiar to me at last, though I never saw the bird while it was making it, and I am not quite sure whether it was a cat or a horned owl. It is usually called the hooting owl making it. making it. I seldom opened my door in a winter or even a summer winter winter evening without hearing it; Hoo hoo hoo, hoorer hoo , sounded sonorously, and the first three syllables accented somewhat like how der do ; or sometimes hoo hoo only. One night in the beginning of winter, before the pond froze over, about nine o’clock, I was startled by the loud honking of a goose, and, stepping to the door, heard the sound of their wings like a tempest in the woods as they flew low over my house. and as they They They passed over the pond toward Fair Haven, seemingly deterred from settling by my light, their commodore honking all the while with a regular beat. Suddenly an unmistakable cat-owl from very near me, 2b
Winter Animals 2b written: A rewritten: F
A: Five leaves (#163-171) are missing between Brute Neighbors 16a and Winter Animals 2b.

(Ronald Clapper)
with the most harsh and tremendous voice I ever heard from any inhabitant of the wood woods, woods, woods, woods, woods, woods, woods, responded at regular intervals to the goose, as if determined to disgrace and expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace expose and disgrace this intruder from Hudson’s Bay by exhibiting a greater compass and volume of voice in a native, and boo-hoo him out of Concord horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon. It was the most thrilling concert I ever heard— Concord, did I say? horizon.— (, did I say?) horizon. horizon. What do you mean by alarming the citadel at this time of night consecrated to me? Do you think I am ever caught napping at such an hour as this hour as this hour as this hour as this hour as this hour as this hour, hour, and that I have not got lungs and a larynx as well as yourself? Boo-hoo, boo-hoo, boo-hoo ! I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before I hardly ever opened my door in a winter or even in a summer evening without hearing the its note of this owl—though never so near at hand and loud before It was the most thrilling discord I ever heard. Yet And still if you had a discriminating ear, there were in it the elements of a Concord such as these plains never saw or heard, which
 
“Would ruffle up your spirits, and put a tongue
 
In every , that should move
 
The stones of Walden shore to rise & mutiny.”
It was one of the most thrilling discords I ever heard. And yet, if you had a discriminating ear, there were in it the elements of a concord such as these plains never saw nor heard. It was one of the most thrilling discords I ever heard. And yet, if you had a discriminating ear, there were in it the elements of a concord such as these plains never saw nor heard.
3
Winter Animals 3 written: A rewritten: F
A: Winter Animals 3 appears as follows. I also heard The booming whooping of the ice in the pond—my great bed-fellow in that part of Concord—as if it were restless in its bed, and would fain turn over—it was werehypsy, and nervous troubled with flatulency and did not sleep well—and or I was waked by the cracking of the ground by the frost —these were other memorable sounds in a winter night which sounded as if some one had driven a team against my house door & in the morning I would find found a crack in the earth ¼ of a mile long

(Ronald Clapper)
I also heard the whooping of the ice in the pond, my great bed-fellow in that part of Concord, as if it were restless in its bed and would fain turn over, were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were hypsy and were were troubled with flatulency and did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams did not sleep well bad dreams bad dreams; bad dreams; or I was waked by the cracking of the ground by the frost, as if some one had driven a team against my door, and in the morning found would find found would find found would find found would find found would find found would find would find would find a crack in the earth a quarter of a mile long and half a third of half a third of half a third of half a third of half a third of half a third of a third of a third of an inch wide.
4
Winter Animals 4 written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes, as they ranged over the snow crust Sometimes in clear nights I heard the foxes as they ranged over the snow crust in moonlight nights Sometimes I heard the foxes as they ranged over the snow crust, in moonlight nights, Sometimes I heard the foxes as they ranged over the snow crust, in moonlight nights, in search of a partridge or other game, barking raggedly and demoniacally like forest dogs, as if if if if if if if if laboring with some anxiety, or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or else seeking expression or seeking expression, or seeking expression, struggling for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and for light and to be dogs outright and run freely in the streets; for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men?for if we take the ages into our account may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? for if we take the ages into our account, may there not be a civilization going on among brutes as well as men? They even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even like imperfect & rudimental men even seemed like imperfect & rudimental to be rudimental seemed to me to be rudimental, seemed to me to be rudimental, burrowing men, still standing on their defence, awaiting their transformation. Sometimes one came near to my window, at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and at in the night—attracted by the my light, and in the night, attracted by my light, and attracted by my light, attracted by my light, barked a vulpine curse at me, and then retreated.
5
Winter Animals 5 written: A rewritten: F
A: In the passage he would be in the top of a young pitch-pine … and skillfully balancing it he, “he,” “him,” and “himself” were originally “it,” “it,” and “itself.” The neuter pronouns were canceled and the masculine pronouns interlined in pencil.

(Ronald Clapper)
Usually the red squirrel Sciurus Hudsonius (Sciurus Hudsonius) (Sciurus Hudsonius) waked me in the dawn, coursing over the roof and up and down the sides of my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my house, by fits & starts my the house, by fits and starts, the house, the house, as if sent out of the woods on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on purpose to arouse me on for this purpose to arouse me for this purpose. for this purpose. During In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of In the course of of the winter I threw out some half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of half a bushel of ears of sweet-corn, which had never not never not never not never not never not not never not not not got ripe, upon on to on to on to on to on to on to on to on to the snow crust by my door, and was amused by watching the motions of the various animals that that that that that that which which were baited by it. In the twilight and the night the rabbits came regularly and made a hearty meal. By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light & in fact all By day-light, and in fact all All All day long the red squirrels came and went, and afforded me much entertainment by their manœuvres. One would approach at first warily through the shrub- oaks, running over the snow crust by fits and starts like a leaf blown by the wind, now a few paces this way, with wonderful speed and waste of energy, making inconceivable haste with his “trotters,” as if it were for a wager, and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but and now as many paces that way, but never getting on more than half a rod at a time; and then suddenly pausing with a ludicrous expression and a gratuitous somerset, as if all the eyes in the universe were fixed upon on on on on on on on on him,— for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,for all the motions of a squirrel in the most silent & darkest recesses of the forest imply spectators as much as the motions of a dancing girl. In short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most silent and darkest solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl,—in short for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl, for all the motions of a squirrel, even in the most solitary recesses of the forest, imply spectators as much as those of a dancing girl, —wasting more time in delay and circumspection than would have sufficed to walk the whole distance,— I never saw one walk,—and then suddenly, before you could say Jack Robinson, he would be in the tip top top top top top top top top of a young pitch-pine, screwing screwing screwing screwing screwing screwing winding winding winding up his clock and chiding all imaginary spectators, and soliloquizing & talking to all the universe and itself at the same time soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, soliloquizing and talking to all the universe at the same time, —for no reason that I could ever detect, or he himself was aware of, I suspect. At length he reached reached reached reached reached reached would reach would reach would reach the corn, and selecting a suitable ear, would frisk would frisk would frisk would frisk would frisk would frisk frisk frisk about in the same uncertain trigonometrical way to the top-most stick of my wood-pile, before my window, looking where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked where he looked me in the face, and there sit for hours, supplying himself with a new ear from time to time, supplying himself with a new ear from time to time, supplying himself with a new ear from time to time, nibbling at first voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously ear after ear voraciously voraciously and throwing the half-naked cobs about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about wastefully about; about; till at length he grew more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still more dainty still and played with his food, tasting only the inside of the kernel, and the ear, which was held balanced over the stick by one paw, slipped from his careless grasp and fell to the ground, when he would look over at it uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty uncertain with ludicrous uncertainty with a ludicrous expression of uncertainty with a ludicrous expression of uncertainty, with a ludicrous expression of uncertainty, as if suspecting that it had life, with a mind not made up whether to get it again, or a new one, or be off; now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. now thinking of corn, then listening to hear what was in the wind. And so And so And so And so And so And so So So the little impudent fellow would waste many an ear in a forenoon; till at last, seizing some longer and plumper one, considerably bigger than himself, and skilfully balancing it, he would set out with it to the woods, like a tiger with a buffalo, by the same zig-zag course and frequent pauses, He scratched scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching scratching along with it as if it were too heavy for him and falling all the while, making its fall a diagonal between a perpendicular and horizontal, being determined to put it through at any rate;— a singularly frivolous and whimsical fellow;— and so he would get off with it to where he lived, and and and and and and perhaps perhaps perhaps carry it to the top of a pine tree forty or fifty rods distant, and I afterwards noticed would afterwards notice would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find would afterwards find the cobs strewn about the woods in various directions.
6a
Winter Animals 6a written: A rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
At length also length length length length length length length the jays arrive, whose discordant screams had been were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard were heard long before, as they were warily making their approach a quarter an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth an eighth of a mile off, and in a stealthy sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly sneaking and cowardly and sneaking and sneaking manner they drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick drew draw near flitting from tree to tree—and picked pick draw near flitting from tree to tree and pick flit from tree to tree, nearer and nearer, and pick flit from tree to tree, nearer and nearer, and pick up the kernels which the squirrels have dropped. Then, sitting on a pitch-pine bough, they attempt to swallow in their haste a kernel which 6b
Winter Animals 6b written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
is too big for their throats and chokes them; and after great labor they disgorge it, and spend an hour in the endeavor to crack it by repeated blows with their bills. They were manifestly thieves, and I had not much respect for them; but the squirrels, though at first shy, went to work as if they were taking what was their own.
7a
Winter Animals 7a written: F rewritten: F

(Ronald Clapper)
Meanwhile also came the chickadees in flocks, and which which picking up the crumbs the squirrels had dropped, they flew flew flew to the nearest twig, and placing them under their claws, hammered away at them with their little bills, in order to reduce them still further, bills, bills, as if it were an insect in the bark, till they were sufficiently reduced for their slender throats. A little flock of these tit-mice came daily to pick a dinner out of my wood-pile, or the crumbs at my door, with faint flitting lisping r
Revision note: F1: song
song notes
notes, notes,
like the tinkling of icicles in the grass, r
Revision note: F1:
or else
or else or else
with sprightly day day day or r
Revision note: F1: sometimes a
sometimes more rarely in spring-like days a
more rarely, in spring-like days, a more rarely, in spring-like days, a
wiry summery phe - be from the wood-side. They were so familiar that at length one alighted on an armful of wood which I was carrying in, and pecked at the sticks without fear. I r
Revision note: F1: had once had
had once had
once had once had
a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment while I was hoeing in a village garden, r
Revision note: F1: in the summer, and I felt myself more distinguished by this circumstance than
in the summer, and I felt myself that I was more distinguished by this thatcircumstance than I should have been
and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been
by any epaulet I could have worn. 7b
Winter Animals 7b written: A rewritten: F, F
A & F: Winter Animals 7b follows Winter Animals 5 and precedes Spring 12 in A and in the original copying of F; it was recopied in its present position on a new leaf in F.

(Ronald Clapper)
All the emotions and the life of the squirrel imply spectators—They The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels The squirrels also also also grew at last to be quite familiar, and sometimes occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally occasionally stepped upon my shoe, when that was the nearest way.
8
Winter Animals 8 written: E rewritten: F, F
E & F: [Winter Animals 8 followed Winter Animals 7a in E and in the original copying of F; when Winter Animals 7b was inserted in its present position, a fair copy was made of only When the ground was not yet … I used to start them in the open.

(Ronald Clapper)
When the ground was not yet quite covered, and again near the end of winter, when the snow was melted on my south hill-side and about my wood-pile, the partridges came out of the woods morning and evening to feed there. When the ground was not yet quite covered, and again near the end of winter, when the snow was melted on my south hill-side and about my wood-pile, the partridges came out of the woods morning and evening to feed there. When the ground was not yet quite covered, and again near the end of winter, when the snow was melted on my south hill-side and about my wood-pile, the partridges came out of the woods morning and evening to feed there. Whichever way side you walk in the woods the partridge bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snowy dust snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high—which comes sifting down in the sunbeams like a golden mist golden dust r
Revision note: F1: side you walk walked in the woods the partridge bursts burst away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high which comes came sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust
side you walked walk in the woods the partridge burst bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high, which came comes sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust
side you walk in the woods the partridge bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high, which comes sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust; side you walk in the woods the partridge bursts away on whirring wings, jarring the snow from the dry leaves and twigs on high, which comes sifting down in the sunbeams like golden dust;
for this brave bird is not to be scared by winter. Audubon One observer says that it “is often snowed up and covered over; or r
Revision note: F1: One observer says that it “is often snowed up and covered over; or
One observer says that it “is often snowed up and covered over; or It is frequently covered up by drifts, and, it is said
It is frequently covered up by drifts, and, it is said, It is frequently covered up by drifts, and, it is said,
“sometimes plunges from on wing into the soft snow, where it remains concealed for a day or two.” I used to start them in the open land when when also where also, where also, where they had come out of the woods at sunset to “bud” the wild apple- trees. They will come regularly every evening to particular trees, where the cunning sportsman lies in wait for them, and and and the distant orchards next the woods suffer thus not a little. If you ask the farmer why he gets no more fruit, he will tell you it is because his trees are so severely budded by the partridges little. If you ask the farmer why he gets no more fruit, he will tell you it is because his trees are so severely budded by the partridges. But little. little. I am glad that the partridge gets fed, at any rate. It is Nature’s own bird that that which which which lives on buds and diet-drink.
9
Winter Animals 9 written: E rewritten: F
F: A fair copy was made of only in dark winter mornings … a fox pursued by hounds burst out on to.

(Ronald Clapper)
In dark winter mornings, or or or in short winter afternoons, I sometimes heard a pack of hounds threading all the woods with hounding cry and yelp, unable to resist the instinct of the chase, and the note of the hunting horn at intervals, showing that man too is showing roving that man too is was proving that man was proving that man was in the rear. The woods would ring again and yet no fox bursts burst bursts would ring again and yet no fox bursts burst bursts ring again, and yet no fox bursts ring again, and yet no fox bursts forth on to the open level of the pond, nor following pack pursuing their Actæon. And perchance at evening I see perchance perhaps at evening I see saw see perhaps at evening I see perhaps at evening I see the hunters returning with a single brush trailing from their sleigh for a trophy, seeking their inn. The hunters tell me If the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth, the hunters tell me, he would be safe enough The hunters They tell me that if the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth, he would be safe enough They tell me that if the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth he would be safe, They tell me that if the fox would remain in the bosom of the frozen earth he would be safe, or if he would run in a straight line away no fox-hound could overtake him; but, having left his pursuers far behind, he stops to rest and listen till they come up, again, and meanwhile when he runs he again, and when he runs he and when he runs he and when he runs he circles round to his old haunts, where the hunters await him. Nevertheless he practices shows considerable cunning, for he will sometimes Nevertheless he shows considerable cunning, for he will sometimes Sometimes, however, he will Sometimes, however, he will Sometimes, however, he will run upon a wall many rods, and then leap off far to one side, and he appears to know that water will obliterate not retain not retain not retain not retain his scent. One hunter tells A hunter told A hunter told A hunter told A hunter told me that he once saw a fox pursued by hounds burst out on to Walden when the ice was covered with shallow puddles, run he ran part way across & then return returned run part way across, and then return run part way across, and then return run part way across, and then return to the same shore. Ere long the hounds arrived, but here they lost the scent. Sometimes a pack of hounds pack pack pack hunting by themselves would pass my door, and circle round my house, and yelp and hound without regarding me, as if afflicted by a species of madness, so that nothing could divert them from the pursuit. Thus they circle until they fall on upon upon upon upon the recent trail of a fox, for for for for a wise hound will forsake every thing else for this. One day a man came to my hut from Lexington Sometimes a hunter man would come to my hut from a neighboring town One day a man came to my hut from Lexington One day a man came to my hut from Lexington One day a man came to my hut from Lexington to inquire after his hound that made a large track, and had been hunting for a week by himself. But I fear that he was not the wiser for all I told him, for every time I attempted to answer his questions he interrupted me by asking, “What do you do here?” He had lost a dog, but found a man. by himself. But I fear that he was not the wiser for all I told him, for every time I attempted to answer his questions he interrupted me by asking, “What do you do here?” He had lost a dog, but found a man. by himself. But I fear that he was not the wiser for all I told him, for every time I attempted to answer his questions he interrupted me by asking, “What do you do here?” He had lost a dog, but found a man.
10
Winter Animals 10 written: E

(Ronald Clapper)
One old hunter who has a dry tongue, who sometimes used to come to in Walden once every year when the water was warmest, and at such times used to come to in Walden once every year when the water was warmest, and at such times used to come to in Walden once every year when the water was warmest, and at such times looked in upon me, told me, that many years ago he took his gun one afternoon and went out for a cruise in Walden Wood; and as he walked the Wayland road he heard the cry of hounds approaching, and presently ere long ere long ere long a fox leaped the wall into the road, and as quick as thoughts thought thought thought thought leaped the other wall out of the road, and his swift bullet had not touched him. then following some Some Some Some way behind came an old hound and her three pups in full pursuit, hunting on their own account, and disappeared again in the woods. Late in the afternoon, as he was resting in the thick woods beyond south of south of south of south of Walden, he heard the voice of the hounds far over toward Fair Haven still pursuing the fox; and on they came, their hounding cry which made all the woods ring sounding nearer and nearer, now from Well-Meadow, now from the Baker Farm. For a long time he stood still and listened to their music, so sweet to a hunter’s ear, when suddenly the fox appeared, with coursing pace, and threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by threading the solemn aisles with an easy coursing pace, whose sound was concealed by a sympathetic rustle of the leaves, swift and still, keeping the ground, leaving his pursuers far behind; and, leaping upon a rock amid the woods, he sat erect and and and and listening, with his back to the hunter. For a moment compassion restrained the latter’s arm; but that was a short-lived mood, and as quick as thought can follow thought his piece was levelled, and whang! —the fox rolling over the rock lay dead on the ground. The hunter still kept his place and listened to the hounds. Still on they came, and now the near woods resounded through all their aisles with their demoniac cry. At length the old hound burst into view with muzzle to the ground, and snapping the air as if possessed, and ran directly to the rock; but spying the fox dead on the ground dead fox dead fox dead fox she suddenly ceased her hounding, as if struck dumb with amazement, and walked round and round him in silence; and one by one her pups arrived, and, like their mother, were sobered into silence by the mystery. Then the hunter came forward and stood in the midst of the dogs their midst their midst, their midst, their midst, and the mystery was solved. They waited in silence while he skinned the fox, then followed the brush a while, and at length turned off into the woods again. That evening a Squire came to the Concord hunter’s cottage to inquire for his hounds, and told how for a week they had been hunting on their own account from Weston woods. The Concord hunter told him what he knew and offered him the skin; but the other declined it and departed. He did not find his hounds that night, but the next day he learned learned learned learned that they had crossed the river and put up at a farm-house for the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning. the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning. the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning. the night, whence, having been well fed, they took their departure early in the morning.
11a
Winter Animals 11a written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
The hunter who told me this could remember one Sam Nutting, who used to hunt bears on Fair Haven Ledges, and exchange their skins for rum in Concord village; r
Revision note: F1: Nay, he said told him
Nay, he who told him
who told him, who told him,
even, that he had seen a moose there. Nutting had a famous fox-hound named Burgoyne,—he pronounced it Bugine,—which my informant used to borrow. 11b
Winter Animals 11b written: F rewritten: G
F: Winter Animals 11b is interlined.
F & G: in his ledger, Feb. 7th, 1743, Hezekiah Stratton has credit “by ½ a Catt skin 0—1—4½:” of course, a wild-cat does not appear in the manuscript in F or in the original copying of G but is interlined in G; for Stratton was a sergeant in the old French war, and would not have got credit for hunting less noble game does not appear in the manuscript in F or in the original copying of G but is interlined in pencil in G.

(Ronald Clapper)
In “Mr Ephraim Jones His Wast Book Anno Domini 1742” In “Mr Ephraim Jones His Wast Book Anno Domini 1742” In the “Wast Book” of an old trader of this town who was also a Captain, Town Clerk & Representative In the “Wast Book” of an old trader of this town, who was also a captain, town-clerk, and representative, I find the following entries entries entry. Jan. 18th, 1742-3, “John Melven Cr. by 1 Grey Fox 0-2-3;” Feb. 14 1743 Aaron Parker is cr by 100 squirell skins 0—6—3 Feb. 14 1743 Aaron Parker is cr by 100 squirell skins 0—6—3 they are not now found here; and in his ledger, Feb. 7th, 1743, Hezekiah Stratton has credit “by ½ a Catt skin 0-1-4 ½;” of course, a wild-cat, for Stratton was a sergeant in the old French war, and would not have got credit for hunting less noble game. Deer skins were daily sold probably to make breeches and mittens of Deer skins were daily sold probably to make breeches and mittens of Or was given for deer skins & they were daily sold Credit is given for deer skins also, and they were daily sold. 11c
Winter Animals 11c written: F rewritten: F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
One man still preserves the horns of the last deer that was killed in this vicinity, r
Revision note: F1: and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged These are pleasant memorials of the past
and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged. These are pleasant memorials of the past.
and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged. and another has told me the particulars of the hunt in which his uncle was engaged.
The hunters were formerly a merry and a numerous numerous and merry numerous and merry crew here. I remember r
Revision note: F1:
well well
one gaunt Nimrod in my boyhood who would catch up a leaf by the roadside, when I was a boy, who would catch up a leaf by the road-side who would catch up a leaf by the road-side and play a strain on it wilder and more melodious, if my memory serves me, than any hunting horn.
12
Winter Animals 12 written: F rewritten: F, G
F1: Winter Animals 12 is followed by Brute Neighbors 15 and House-Warming 18a.
F2 & G: Winter Animals 12 is followed by House-Warming 18a.

(Ronald Clapper)
At midnight, when there was a moon, I r
Revision note: F1: used sometimes to meet
used sometimes to meet
used sometimes to meet sometimes met sometimes met
with hounds in my path prowling about the woods, which would skulk out of my way, as if afraid, and stand silent amid the bushes till I had passed.
13a
Winter Animals 13a written: A rewritten: E, F, G

(Ronald Clapper)
Squirrels & wild mice also disputed for my store of nuts Squirrels and wild mice disputed for my store of nuts. There were scores of pitch-pines in my field around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, around my house, from one to three three three three three three four four inches in diameter, which had been gnawed by the mice the mice the mice the mice mice or moles mice or moles mice or moles mice the previous winter it was winter, winter, winter, winter, winter, winter, winter, —a Norwegian winter for them, for the snow lay long and deep, and they had were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged were obliged to mix a large proportion of pine meal bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark with their other diet. These trees were alive and apparently flourishing at midsummer, and had many of them many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had many of them had grown a foot, though completely girdled; and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
and sometimes laid bare for the space of a foot—but now after the lapse of another winter I perceive that such are already without exception dead. For this n
Note: a missing leaf follows (R. Clapper)
but after another winter such were without exception dead. I think it is Herodotus who remarks that pines do not spring up again from the root when cut down; but I have observed that sometimes when a young white pine is broken off though very near the ground its branches come upward, and often one of them takes the place of the leading stem which is gone. but after another winter such were without exception dead. but after another winter such were without exception dead. but after another winter such were without exception dead.
13b
Winter Animals 13b written: E rewritten: F
E: Winter Animals 13a and 13b follow Brute Neighbors 9b; Winter Animals 13b is interlined in pencil.
F: Winter Animals 13a and 13b are interlined in their present order.

(Ronald Clapper)
It is remarkable that a single mouse should thus be allowed a whole pine tree for its dinner, gnawing round instead of up and down it; gnawing round instead of up and down it; gnawing round instead of up and down it; but perhaps it is necessary in order to thin these trees, which are wont to spring grow grow grow up densely.
14a
Winter Animals 14a written: F

(Ronald Clapper)
The hares ( Lepus Americanus ) were very familiar and when I came home late at night one would commonly go off with a squeak and a bounce from my door familiar. familiar. One had her form under my house all winter, separated from me only by the flooring, and she aroused startled startled startled me each morning by her hasty departure when I began to stir,— thump, thump, thump, striking her head against the floor floor floor timbers in her hurry. They used to come round my door at dusk to nibble the potato parings which I had thrown out, and were so nearly the color of the ground that they could hardly be distinguished when still. Sometimes in the twilight I alternately lost and recovered sight of one sitting motionless under my window. When 14b
Winter Animals 14b written: A rewritten: F
A: Winter Animals 14b follows a missing leaf (#179). In the passage its vigor and the dignity … Such then was its, “its” was originally “his,” “His” was canceled and “its” was interlined in pencil]
F: A fair copy was made of only I opened my door in the evening … almost dropsical. I took a.

(Ronald Clapper)
I opened my door in the evening, off they would go with a squeak and a bounce. They only excited my pity near at hand Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. Near at hand they only excited my pity. One evening one sat by my door three two two two two two two two paces from me, at first trembling with fear, yet unwilling to move; a poor wee thing, lean and bony, with ragged ears and sharp nose, scant tail and slender paws. It looked as if Nature no longer contained the breed of nobler bloods, but the earth stood on its last legs stood or her last legs toes stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. stood on her last toes. Its large eyes looked looked looked looked looked looked appeared appeared appeared young and unhealthy, almost dropsical. I took two steps—and lo! he scud away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud a step, and lo, away it scud with an elastic spring over the snow crust, straightening its body and its limbs into graceful length, and soon put the forest between me and itself,— the wild free venison, asserting its vigor and the dignity integrity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity dignity of Nature. Not without reason was its slenderness. Such then was its nature. (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.) (Lepus, levipes, light-foot, some think.)
15
Winter Animals 15 written: A
A: The partridge and the rabbit … a poor country indeed that does not support a hare is interlined; Our woods teem with them both … which some cow-boy tends is interlined in pencil. Winter Animals 15 is followed by Pond in Winter 16, three missing leaves (#183-187), and Former Inhabitants 10b.

(Ronald Clapper)
What is a country without rabbits and partridges? They are among the most natural and simple of among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous among the most simple and indigenous animal products; ancient and venerable families known to antiquity as to modern times; of the very hue and substance of Nature, nearest allied to leaves and to the ground,— and especially moreover and and and and and and and to one another; it is either winged or it is legged. It is hardly as if you had seen a wild creature when a rabbit or a partridge burst away—but bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, bursts away, only a natural one, as much to be expected as rustling leaves. The partridge and the rabbit are still sure to thrive, like true natives of the soil, whatever revolutions occur. If the forest is cut off, the sprouts and bushes which spring up afford them concealment, and they become more numerous than ever. That must be a poor country indeed that does not support a hare. Our woods teem with them both, and around every swamp may be seen the partridge or rabbit walk, beset with twiggy fences with their horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair and horse-hair snares, which some cow-boy tends.

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