APRIL. 87 



F. — I think the Grouse winters here, though it is not 

 much seen in winter. They will soon begin to drum, which 

 is the sexual call of the male. It is a curious noise : Wilson 

 compares it to the striking together of two blown bladders, 

 slowly at first, but more and more quickly, until the strokes 

 run into one another, and have the effect of one continued 

 rumbling sound, gradually dying away. He says it is per- 

 formed thus : — " The cock, standing on an old prostrate log, 

 generally in a retired and sheltered situation, lowers his 

 wings, erects his expanded tail, contracts his throat, elevates 

 the two tufts of feathers on the neck, and inflates his whole 

 body, something in the manner of the turkey-cock, strutting 

 and wheeling about with great stateliness. After a few 

 manoeuvres of this kind, he begins to strike with his stif- 

 fened wings in short and quick strokes, which become more 

 and more rapid until they run into each other, as has been 

 already described." 



C. — The Honey-bees are busy : how soon they find out 

 the nectar of the poplar and willov/ catkins! they are throng- 

 ing around those trees in considerable numbers. 



F. — The Buttercup (Ranunculus Acris), Clover ( Tri- 

 folium Pratense), and wild Strawberry (Fragaria Virgi- 

 niana), begin to put forth their young leaves ; and I see the 

 grass is sprouting in the woods and sheltered places. 



C — What very remarkable mountain is that to the west- 

 ward, so elevated above all the neighbouring land ? the snow 

 on its summit and sides shines brightly in the sun, and 

 strongly contrasts with the azure tint of the wooded parts. 



F. — It has often struck my own attention, as being so 

 conspicuous an object from this road, as well as from its evi- 

 dent height, and the singularity of its shape, somewhat 

 resembling that of a couching lion. I have had no opportu- 



