SEASONS AT MARTIN'S FALLS. 245 



May 20. Shells (Limncei) begin to move in the pools along 

 the river. Snails (Limax, Helix, Bulimies, &c.) 

 remove from under stones and fallen timber. The 

 end of the month discloses some species of moths 

 (Noctualites). 



25. Our only goatsucker (Chordeiles virgitiianus), and 

 the golden-winged woodpecker ( Colaptes auratus), 

 the last of the spring birds in this district, arrive. 

 Beavers, otters, and musk-rats have their young. 



28. The balsam poplar, and aspen expand their leaves. 

 (Not so early as on the Saskatchewan, two or 

 three degrees further north.) The Hudson's Bay 

 reindeer has young. 

 June 1. Sturgeon begin to frequent falls and rapids, and to 

 spawn. 5th. Insects are busy on warm days ; the 

 Tenthredinidce on bushes, the Sphingides, Andre- 

 netce, and Pangonice on the ground, all attended by 

 a variety of parasite ichneumons. The first flowers 

 blow, and those of the willow are surrounded by 

 Sylphides and flower-flies (Anthomoyce). 



10. A night-frost will sometimes intervene, even at this 

 late period ; and, in the woods, the ground is still 

 frozen solidly at the depth a foot from the surface. 

 Vegetation, nevertheless, still goes forward. Mos- 

 chetoes become a torment ; the swamps and puddles 

 swarm with their larvae. Small tadpoles abound in 

 the pools. 13th. The country is now covered with 

 verdure. Birds are nestling ; geese and ducks 

 hatching. The natives are occupied with the 

 sturgeon fishery. 



15. The latest shrubs are in leaf, and the majority of 

 moths and butterflies are disclosing themselves. 

 The large Ephemera (Perlce and Phryganece) issue 

 from the water. 20th. Trout take the fly-hook. 

 White-fish ( Coregonus albus) rise to the surface. 

 Cattle seek the houses to get rid of the tormenting 

 b 3 



