IN A FISHING COUNTRY 



or has retreated northward, and we shall 

 remain under southerly influences. Bear 

 and ground-hog govern themselves by 

 what they encounter, and, if it be cold, 

 have the good sense to go back to bed. This 

 small degree of prescience some of us 

 share with them. It is unlikely that they 

 reason from former experiences — in our 

 manner — as to the persistence of cyclonic 

 and anticyclonic types. 



In Quebec it is an article of faith that 

 two months precisely after the migrating 

 crows first scratch in the roads, spring will 

 arrive, — genial weather, fit for sowing. In 

 1918 les anciens noted this date: March 

 15th. On May 14th, snow-flurries; on 

 May 15th, spring in full tide. Small won- 

 der that the first remark of the day, after 

 Bonjour, was Les corneilles etaient pas mal 

 corrects, — des oiseaux bien intelligents. 

 This neat bit of work will secure their 

 reputation for many a long year! 



On St. Swithin's day it rains. When 

 weather of the rainy type holds sway in 

 high summer, you may look for more of it. 

 I should be sorry to deny St. Patrick, St. 

 Swithin, St. Martin or any other Saint the 

 smallest of his perquisites, but the rational- 

 istic view is that the day before or after his 

 132 



