WEASELS AWAKENS INSTINCTIVE BEAR

Recently my attention was attracted by an unusual clamor among the chipmunks near one of our Ranger Stations.

Presently, as if summoned by a common danger, two Steller Jays appeared at the scene of the commotion. Soon they joined in the frenzied group and launcheed a sudden desperate attact against some invisible intruder. Then I observed the cause of the alarm. Coming down the path in a quick but stealthy manner was a tawny beady-eyed weasel. In his mouth was a dead chipmunk.

For some time after the marauder had disappeared in his den beneath a ledge of rock, an excited little chipmunk remained on the side of a tree chriping plaintively, unaware of the presence of human onlookers in its fear of the weasel - the arch-enemy of all the smaller creatures. Even the birds seemed to recognize the intruder as a dangerous enemy.

PEAK OF FLOWER SEASON COMES EARLY.

Although the flowers came unusually early in Paradise Valley it seems that we are to have a splendid season. Already some seventy-five species are in bloom and other are appearing each day.

At present the white avalanche lily makes up the greatest masses of any single flower, but the yellow of the buttercup, potentilla, and arnic will soon predominate. In fact yellow flowers seem to be at their best this season just as last season was preeminently a red indian paint brush year. Apparently the peak of the flower season will come early in July.