as affecting Animals and Vegetables at Martin's Falls. 253 



December,] Our dead (We are frequently visited by the White Owl or 

 January, > winter < Harfang from the Bay, but the Hawk-owl is our 

 February, ! months. I most common bird of prey. Besides our three 

 indigenous species of grouse (Tetrao umbel/us, Canadensis, and Phasianel- 

 lus),we have the Willow Grouse, or White Bird as it is called, ( T. sallccti, 

 Temm. T. albus, Auct.) from the northward. 



March. Martens 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 may be seen if the sea- 

 son be early. 



20. Tops of the higher grasses appear. A few brown feathers ap- 

 pear on the necks of some Willow-birds (Tetrao albus). They 

 now leave us. 

 April. There is a slight crust on the snow, from the thaw of the day and 

 the frost of the night. When the weather is mild and the sun 

 shines, a few insects appear. 



8. Two species of Pcrla and one of Nemoura come up through the 

 crevices of the ice and the porous snow, and all proceed in di- 

 rect course for the nearest bank. 



10. The cold renders them too weak to fly, though most of them have 

 got rid of their nymph spoil before emerging from the ice. 



16. Snow-birds have become plentiful, and are now joined by another 



Bunting with black head (Emberiza Lapponica ?) and the Yel- 

 low-breasted Lark (Alauda alpestris). 



20. The Flesh-fly still scarce. The small Owl (Scops) calls in the warm 

 nights. The common Woodpecker (Picus pikatus) drums on 

 the hollow trees. 



22. The Grey Goose of Canada and Stock Ducks sometimes appear, 

 but arc frequently forced to return to the southward by a 

 northerly blast and want of water. 



25. A few spots of ground bare. 



28. The American Robin (a species of Thrush, with red breast) and the 

 Cattle Blackbird (Xanthonus, with yellow eye) are now arriving, 

 and pick up the benumbed grubs and caterpillars. Goshawks 

 arrive. 



May. Ground getting barer ; snow melting rapidly. 

 6. Wild-geese and Ducks passing to the northward. Hawks still ar- 

 riving. 



10. Every fine day brings an accession to the small bush birds, — Mus- 

 cicapce, Motacilko, &c. Food for these is still scarce, and they 

 approach the houses in quest of the Dipteraj which rise from the 

 manure and rich earth around the place. Snow-birds have left 

 us. Ermines and Rabbits become altogether brown. The ice 

 is now shingly and dangerous. Strong currents and rapids 

 VOL. XXX. NO. LX. APRIL 1841. It 



