SEASONS AT MARTIN'S FALLS. 243 



March. Martens (JSIustela martes) pair, and soon afterwards 

 rabbits (Lepus americanus). 



15. In the middle of the month the snow often melts 

 in the height of the day, and by the 20th a snow- 

 bird {Emberiza nivalis) may be seen occasionally 

 if the season be early. 



20. Tops of the higher grasses, which have been con- 

 cealed beneath the snow, begin to show. A few 

 brown feathers clothe the necks of the willow-grouse, 

 and these birds leave us. 

 April. A slight crust now forms on the snow, produced 

 by night frosts after thaw in the day. In mild 

 weather, a few insects show in the sunshine. 

 8. Two species of Perla and one of Nemoura come up 

 through the crevices of the ice and porous snow, 

 and all proceed straight to the nearest beach. The 

 cold renders them too weak to fly, though most of 

 them have got rid of their nymphine investments 

 before emerging from the ice. 



15. Snow-birds have become plentiful, and are now 

 joined by the Emberiza lappotiica and Alauda 

 alpestris. 20th. The flesh-fly is still scarce. The 

 small owl (Scops) calls in the warm nights, and 

 the common woodpecker (Picus pileatus) drums on 

 the hollow trees. 22nd. The Canada goose (A?iser 

 canadensis) and stock-ducks (Anas boschas) some- 

 times arrive at this date, but are frequently forced 

 to return for want of water, and by northerly 

 blasts. 



25. A few spots of ground bare ; (more than a month 

 later than the earth begins to appear at Carlton 

 House.) 28th. The red-breasted thrush ( Tardus 

 migratorius) and cattle blackbird (Scolecophagus 

 ferrugineus), are now arriving, and pick up the 

 benumbed grubs and caterpillars. Goshawks ar- 

 rive. 



B 2 



