THE CYCLE OF THE SEASONS 27 



of the forest and their ways, and will not fail to bring back many 

 sylvan trophies. 



In the progress of the seasons there falls in every quarter of the 

 globe some brief term of days surpassing all others in the charm 

 they are capable of exercising over lovers of the open. There is 

 nothing quite like the Canadian Indian summer elsewhere. On 

 the far verge of autumn a warm sunny interval invariably occurs 

 between the first cool and fitful breath of October and the dark 

 storms and biting cold of November ; sometimes a few days earlier 

 and sometimes later than the fall of the leaf. It is a brief term of 

 truce to the encroachments of the cold of winter. There suddenly 

 comes some fine morning a different sky, a different atmosphere. 

 A widely dispersed brilliancy of light and colour, due no doubt to 

 some peculiar atmospherical conditions, flashes upon mountain, 

 lake and sea, transforming the whole face of nature, until even 

 the barren wastes of wilderness wear an aspect of sparkling gaiety. 

 Something of this magical effect is due no doubt to the bright 

 colours orange, Indian red and flaming scarlet which splash 

 the foliage not only of the deciduous trees but of each tiny shrub, 

 such as the rhododendra, azalea, and swamp-whortleberry. The 

 rich blue sky wears a more than midsummer softness and depth ; 

 the water seems more crystalline ; the sun sets in more voluptuous 

 splendours than at other times. 



Summer is departing with its pride and profusion, while the 

 face of nature for the space of a few warm transparent days is 



SUMMER I PLOVER-SHOOTING OVER DECOYS. 



