238 CLIMATOLOGY. 



The following arc the Phenomena of the Spring of 1827 

 at Carlton House, in lat. 52° 5 V N., long. 106° 13' W., on 

 the eastern limits of the Saskatchewan prairie lands, and 

 at an elevation above the sea of about 1,100 feet.* 



Feb. 15. Snow thawing in the sunshine, and on the 17th 

 many sandy huniniocks on the plains were bare. 

 This is at least three weeks earlier than the thaw 

 commences in an early season at Cumberland House, 

 which is a degree further north, but is 200 feet 

 lower. 



March 6. Trees thawed in fine days, and on the 8th the 

 black earth on the immediate banks of the river 

 was softened to the depth of two inches by the 

 power of the sun's rays. At this place the westerly 

 winds bring mild weather, and the easterly ones 

 are attended by fog and snow. 

 13. Sparrow-hawks (Falco sparverius) arrived from the 

 south, and on the 17th several migratory small 

 birds were noticed. 

 29. Large flocks of snow-birds (Emberiza nivalis) came 

 about the establishment; and, by the 31st, steep 

 banks, which had a southern aspect, were clear of 

 snow. 



April 1. Many Fringillidce (birds of the sparrow tribe) were 

 seen, On the 2nd, swans arrived, and, by the 3rd, 

 much snow had disappeared from the plains. 

 4. The snow at this time was melting in the shade, 

 and the sap of the maple trees {Negando fraxini- 

 folium) began to flow. 



* This was estimated in 1827 at 1,000 feet from the length of the 

 river course between Carlton House and York Factory, making a 

 smaller allowance per mile for the descent, as far as Lake Winipeg, 

 and a considerably greater one for the falls and rapids of Nelson 

 River. It accords sufficiently with Captain Lefroy's observations; 

 and its error does not probably exceed 200 feet at most. 



