266 GRUS AMERICANA AND GRUS CANADENSIS. 



The winter of 1857-58 fairly set in on the 22nd December, 1857. 



Ozone. — The amount of ozone during the year has shown an in- 

 crease on the usual average. Observations are now being taken here, 

 intended to show the effects of the different clouded rays of light on 

 the Ozoneometer, and also the effects of vegetation on the amount. 



Atmospheric Electricity. — The tri-daily observations are still con- 

 tinued in this important branch of science, the amount indicated in 

 frequency and tension is very near equal to the amount of last year, 

 but is nevertheless rather below the usual average. The Komershausen 

 apparatus seems pretty well adapted for the purpose of collecting 

 atmospheric electricity, but is inferior to the large apparatues which 

 is erected here, both as to collecting and retaining the electric charge. 



The Song Sparrow {Frinffilla Meloda) the harbinger of spring, 

 first heard on the 10th March. Swallows (Hirundo Rufa) first seen 

 the 15th April. Frogs {Bana) first heard the 15th April (this is 

 about a week earlier than usual,) Shad {Alosa) first caught 29th 

 May. Fire-flies {Lampyris Cormca) first seen the 18th of June. 

 Snow Birds {Electrophanes Nivalis) first seen 26th October. Crows 

 did not winter here this year. "Wild Strawberries in flower 27th 

 May, and matured 26th June. Gooseberry in leaf 9th May. Cur- 

 rant tree in leaf 21st May. Plum tree in blossom 26th May. Apple 

 tree in leaf 3rd June. 



The potatoe rot, which manifested itself but partially this yjear, 

 commenced in this neighborhood on the night of the 7th August. 



St. Martin, Isle Jesus, 21st March, 1859. 



GRUS AMERICANA AND GRUS CANADENSIS : ARE 

 THEY THE SAME BIRD IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF 

 GROWTH? 



BY T. J. COTTLE, F.R.C.S.E. 



Read before the Canadian Institute, 12th February, 1859. 



The great variation of plumage that many species of birds, espe- 

 cially of the order Rapaces, undergo before arriving at their adult 

 dress, and the consequent multiplication of species, is well known to 

 Ornithologists : And it falls rather to the task of the out-door natu- 

 ralist than to the systematist in his closet, to unravel such difficulties. 



