382 REED-WRIGHT— THE VERTEBRATES OF [October i, 



1907 is yj per cent., based upon readings taken at 8 A.M. The 

 range for these years being from 73 to 80 per cent. 



The total movement of wind in miles varies from 62,556 to 79,- 

 172. The maximum velocity ranges from 36 to 54 miles per hour 

 in the period from November to March. The prevailing direction 

 of the wind for the past eight years has been northwest. Besides 

 the general winds there are local currents or night winds particularly 

 in the southern portion of the basin. Concerning these Dr. W. M. 

 Wilson^ writes: 



The night wind commonly sets in two or three hours after sunset, first 

 as a light breeze, but gradually increasing in strength until a velocity of about 

 eight miles per hour is reached. This current has its origin on the hillsides 

 at the southern end of the lake and flows northward down the channels of 

 the two principal streams which form the inlet, converging into the main 

 depression at the head of the lake. The flow of the current as it moves 

 northward over the level surface of the lake is augmented by the cool cur- 

 rents which join the main stream through the numerous gorges and water 

 courses entering the valley from either side. Along the western shore at 

 the southern end of the lake, where the densely wooded slopes cool the air 

 near the surface, the flow of the cool breeze down the water courses towards 

 the lake often continues throughout the day. The night breeze is usually 

 stronger, but the day breeze as it comes from the depths of the woods is 

 delightfully refreshing. 



The meteorological conditions of the Cayuga basin and more 

 particularly those about Ithaca are thus commented upon by Gar- 

 riott :" 



In spring, summer and autumn precipitation is preceded twelve to forty- 

 eight hours by southeast winds and falling barometer, and the barometer gen- 

 erally falls to 29.90, or below, in spring and summer, and to 29.95, or below, 

 in autumn before precipitation begins. In winter southerly winds precede pre- 

 cipitation, but the winds shift more quickly and the signs of precipitation are 

 not so well defined as in other seasons ; precipitation begins in this season 

 with a falling barometer and when the barometer has fallen to 30 or below. 

 On account of the position of this station on the hillside and above the lake, 

 diurnal winds are noticeable, especially during the warm months. When not 

 influenced by passing storms these winds come as a gentle east to southeast 

 breeze by night and by day a northwest wind having a velocity of two or 

 three times greater than the day breeze. When, instead of shifting to the 



' Wilson, W. M., " New York Section of the Climatical Service of the 

 Weather Bureau in cooperation with Cornell University," August, 1906, p. 59. 



^° Garriott, Edward B., " Weather Folk-lore and Local Weather Signs," 

 U. S. Department of Agriculture, Bull. 294 of the Weather Bureau, p. 93. 



