324 TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



other Crane was seen by Seebohm on the 21st, also flying 

 in the same direction. 



The sun came out for a time in the afternoon, but all 

 the woods remained unusually silent, and few birds of 

 any kind were to be seen or heard. The wind was a 

 little cold, from the N.W. Very little ice is to be seen 

 to-day on the river, and the Zylma appears to be clear 

 of it. 



The peasants are busy ploughing, sowing, and harrow- 



ing the ground, every day being now of importance in 

 regard to preparing for their crops. 



The plough in use is a most original-looking, clumsy, 

 but apparently effective implement. 



Although nearly all the snow has disappeared from the 

 hillsides, sledges are still mostly used, and in the deep 

 loamy soil they seem to be better for conveying the 

 manure and farm implements than wheeled carts would 

 be. A few carts were seen also, but they do not seem to 

 be generally approved of. 



May 26. 



On Wednesday, the 26th of May, there was — in Piot- 

 tuch's pigeon-French — beaucoup de vent, which it is 

 reported may continue for a week. It blew from the north 

 in the morning, but changed to west in the afternoon. 



In the forenoon we did some marketing, preparing for 

 our journey down the river : — 



