. [Articles about birds from National geographic magazine]. Birds. A HOARY ilAKilOT The northern type of the American woodchuck—a good example of protective coloration. Photographed on mountain at head of Benjamin Creek the combers in the narrower channels, or cross-currents, throw the waves a foot or two higher than the stern of the boat, seemed inviting catastrophe, had it not been proven otherwise, seconded by the fact that Tom had the reputation of be- ing the most capable and experienced riverman in the Kenai Valley. Grave concern was expressed, how- ever, over the safety of otir canoe, a
. [Articles about birds from National geographic magazine]. Birds. A HOARY ilAKilOT The northern type of the American woodchuck—a good example of protective coloration. Photographed on mountain at head of Benjamin Creek the combers in the narrower channels, or cross-currents, throw the waves a foot or two higher than the stern of the boat, seemed inviting catastrophe, had it not been proven otherwise, seconded by the fact that Tom had the reputation of be- ing the most capable and experienced riverman in the Kenai Valley. Grave concern was expressed, how- ever, over the safety of otir canoe, and so the feeling of distrust was mutual. Tom said that he would rather take his chances on a saw-log, "Because it never took in water, and the part above the surface was alwa)'s the top, no matter how (jften it rolled ; So here was a chance to try out the efficiency and safety of each boat, running practically side bv side. The explanation for this method of handling such a skift soon became plain. No ordinary boat can safely run a swift and tortuous stream when floating at the same speed as the current. It must go cither faster or slower, in order to re- s])()nd readily to the rudder or paddle when steering. In a canoe the occupants of course face ahead, while bv letliny the skitt run down stern first the oarsman, and in this particular instance the steers- man, also faced dovim the river, the full advantages of which I learned later. Since the river was unknown to my Michigan guide, who was to manage the canoe, it was arranged that I should sit in the stern of the skiff, facing upstream, and, with the canoe keeping 50 yards or more in the rear, I could signal the character of the water at each bend and which side the canoe should take when necessar}'. The first proof that the different methods were based upon the character of the boats came a few minutes after starting. On rounding a bend we found in the middle of the stream, less than 30 )'ards away, an imm
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