318 WINTER. 



called, may now be seen, or the track of a porcupine 

 (Hystrix pilosus) dragging himself through the snow. The 

 beaver leaves his lodge, and comes out for a bite of fresh 

 bark. Even the bear is sometimes tempted out of his den. 

 The pine grosbeak (Pinicola Canadensis) and the crossbill 

 (Loxia curvirostra) show themselves round the camp ; the 

 chickadee (Parus atricapillus) adds his little note in appro- 

 bation of the change ; and even the snow bunting (Plectro- 

 phanes nivalis), that hardiest of the feathered tribe, shows 

 its appreciation of a mild day by leaving the forest and 

 flocking to the farmyard. But the bird of all others that 

 dislikes the cold is the cock of the woods, or great red- 

 headed woodpecker (Pieus pileatus). He scents the 

 approach of mild weather, and is a sure barometer to the 

 hunter. 



In the matter of clothing there is nothing like wool 

 woollen shirts, woollen socks, cloth made entirely of wool. 

 Except a cap with earflaps, furs are quite unnecessary for 

 a man ; and in the shelter of the forest, save on the very 

 coldest days, the sportsman will find an ordinary English 

 shooting suit quite sufficient. The only alteration in cos- 

 tume he will find necessary are mocassins as substitutes for 

 boots, and mitts for gloves. The latter are simply woollen 

 bags for the hands ; the fingers being all together retain 

 the heat better than when separated in gloves. Mocassins 

 should be made of very soft pliable leather, and of suf- 

 ficient size to admit of three pairs of socks being worn 

 without pressure or tightness. When the temperature is 

 very low, let the sportsman beware of touching the barrels 

 of his rifle with an ungloved hand, or of putting a metal 

 flask to his lips ; it is not pleasant to feel one's skin stick 



