303 



eastern tale, whore palace floors are clal witli ricli, soft mats from 

 Persian looms. 



The winds grow colder and fiercer, and the leaves whirl earthward 

 until the trees stand bare once more, and yet there arc patches of 

 bright color i-emaining here and there. The coral berries of our Cana- 

 dian holly hold long to the naked tvvigs, as in a less degree do the larger 

 and more fleshy fruits of the hawthorn. The mountain ash also bravely 

 holds its great clustei'S of berries as food for the red-breasted gros- 

 beaks. Of winter mention has been previously made, so that the circuit 

 of the year is complete, and each season is found offering something 

 worthy of attention. 



One important feature of the winter, that muso< not be overlooked, 

 is the opportunity it affords of studying and arranging our collections ; 

 how, otherwise, should we find the time for this essential work. And 

 as we pursue it what a throng of msmories is called up by each s|jeci- 

 men ; the time and the locality, and, if you were not alone, who your 

 companion was. A sympatiietic companion 1 may here remark adds 

 immeasurably to the pleasure and success of' a field trip. Two pair of 

 eyes ai"e better than one, and many things that would have escaped your 

 notice are pointed oat by a companion, while, on your part, you will 

 shew him much that is new and of interest. 



It should be the aim of each member,who has opportunities to con- 

 template and enjoy the beauties and wonders offered by our fertile and 

 varied neighborhood, first to avail himself fully of his privileges, and 

 then to enieavor to enrich others with the results of his labours. What 

 has been told is but a page at intervals in the history of our surround- 

 ings, and as our President last year pointed out to us, there remains 

 much entirely neglected. To chronicle the movements and habits of 

 our birds alone, would require numerous papei's, which might be made 

 deeply interesting to us. Scores of our birds, if carefully studied, 

 would each suffice for a paper, pleasing and valuable. 



And so it is in other branches ; we have lists, and occasional notes 

 on species, but jio completed life histories, except in rare instances, as Mr. 

 Lett's of the Otter. This paper, although not exhaustive, I consider 

 one of the most valuable of our contributions toward a knowleJsre of 



