168 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS. 



Within thirty-six hours of the break-up of the frost, every 

 vestige of ico has disappeared, carried off to sea by the tide, 

 and normal conditions are at once restored. 



Incidentally, I may remark that the effect of very low tem- 

 peratures on the human body when exposed for many hours 

 together in a punt at sea, is relatively much less severe than 

 one would expect. Of course, one must be suitably clad. 

 Abundance of warm woollen clothing goes without saying ; 

 and no part of one's flesh, except what is actually necessary, 

 must be exposed to the bite of the frost. The only limit as 

 regards nether garments is the capacity of the sea boots ; 

 and, as to upper gear, the ability to handle the cripple- 

 stopper. 



Whether the effect is caused by the relatively higher tem- 

 perature of the salt water, or by the extreme dryness of the 

 atmosphere owing to the entire absorption of all moisture by 

 the frost, or otherwise, I can state from experience that one 

 suffers a great deal less from exposure to cold in the lowest 

 known temperature (as in January, 1881, when for several 

 days the thermometer stood from 2 to 7 below zero, and the 

 salt water at once froze solid on the setting pole, and even on 

 the rounded decks of the punt) than is the case in the raw, 

 chilling, marrow-piercing winds of a "mild winter." 



