HAMILTON SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION 115 



January, February and March, 1907, here in Southern 

 Ontario, were notable in their meteorological conditions, 

 such as unusually light snowfall, a winter without sledding 

 facilities, yet with temperature as low as the average, twelve 

 to fifteen below zero being registered here during several 

 nights both in January and February. Also periods of strong 

 winds from west and north-west, with clouded skies, and 

 occasional sleet-rains which encased out-door objects in icy 

 armor, were not infrequent occurrences. 



The usual winter visits of big flocks of snow buntings 

 were noted in this district by their arrival at an earlier date 

 than usual. As early as 20th November, 1906, great numbers 

 of the white plumed twitterers visited our stubble fields day 

 after day and week after week, with only slight intervals of 

 absenteeism, until the first week in March, 1907, since which 

 period none of these northern adventurers from the land of 

 "the Eskimo" have been reported in these parts, although 

 other winged visitants from boreal latitudes stayed hereabout 

 for weeks later. Flocks of ten or twelve individuals of the 

 Pine Grosbeaks came to our groves and gardens daily, until 

 the milder temperature set in about March 13th, These birds 

 were by no means shy, and came near to our dwelling house 

 and nibbled at the dried seed capsules remaining on the 

 plants of the summer floral parterre, and eating the now 

 swelling buds of the Spireas and other shrubs, such as goose- 

 berry and currants. But just before the arrival of the 

 Robins and Blue Birds (14th and 15th of March this year), 

 the Pine Grosbeaks ceased to be in evidence in these their 

 winter haunts. Some mild sunny days, March 15th to i8th, 

 caused the gladsome notes of the Plover's "kill deer" to be 

 heard over our fields and groves, and aroused the vocal efforts 

 of the Song-sparrow and Meadow Lark, {Sturnella Magna) 

 after their four or five month's silence. Many of our 

 acquaintances here expressed surprise at the promptness 

 with which numbers of the feathered tribes responded to the 

 genial changes in the atmosphere. The notes of the interest- 

 ing Red-Winged Crackle, and also the circling sky high flight 



