First Messengers of Spring. 287 



white-winged crossbills (during the winter of 1867 which 

 was very cold ; next winter scarcely any were observed)." 



" April 1st. — Sunny days, frosty nights. Migratory thrush, 

 snow birds {J. hy metis), the song and the chipping sparrow, 

 Pennsylvanian finch, and the first summer warbler (D. vesticea) 

 have just suddenly put in their appearance ; crossbills and 

 pine-siskins not yet left, and about in flocks, singing very 

 sweetly. Thaws fairly set in, but snow still thick in sheltered 

 places. (St/i.) Not a bud yet opened out ; willows begin, 

 however, to give indications. The migratory birds just named 

 are increasing in numbers daily, and the crow blackbird 

 (Q. versicolor) in flocks. The first butterfly (Satyrus eurythris) 

 has appeared, and a few cabbage butterflies and dipterous 

 insects ; still very cold at night ; wonderful that these insects 

 withstand it. ( 1 St/i.) Heavy snow-storms, frost every night; 

 summer migrants have hard struggles for their subsistence ; all 

 are crowding around houses. Ducks and geese are putting 

 in their appearance in the rivers and inland lakes, but the ice 

 not yet broken up. (20th.) South winds more frequent, and 

 the cause of the rapid melting of the snow, which is still thick 

 in the forests and shaded places. Buds of deciduous leaved 

 trees still unopened. Early bird arrivals, singing sweetly, 

 and commencing to mate as if no time should be lost. The 

 first swallow (P. purpurea) announced, having been seen on 

 a swallow-cot in town. Snow still lagging, and migratory 

 water-fowl coming in in small flocks. The American gold- 

 finch, in full breeding attire, has just put in an appearance. 

 {26th) Ice breaking up on the lakes and rivers. Migratory fowl 

 passing through and alighting in numbers. (29//Z.) Ice fairly 

 broken up and running rapidly seaward. Steamers moving 

 up the St. John."* 



* The reader will form an idea of the regularity wherewith the ice 

 breaks up in the great rivers of this region from the following census 

 of twenty-six years in connection with the navigation of the St. John 

 River, between Fredericton, the capital, and the city of St. John on the 



