all through the forest there was restlessness and quiet haste. the juncoes had already come from the cold northland and were resting from their long flight. the ground hogs, the rabbits, and the squirrels were out to say good-by. the owls peeped from their hollow trees, shading their eyes from the strong light of the sun. and then the travellers went. the robins started in family parties. the mourning doves slipped quietly away. the cowbirds went in a dashing crowd. and the crows, after much talking and disputing on the tree-tops, took a noisy farewell of the few members of the flock who were to remain behind, and, joining other flocks from the north, flew off in a great company which darkened the sky and caused a shadow to pass over the stubble-field almost like that of a summer cloud.