Splendid Appearance of the Forest in Autumn. 293 



either by a sudden effort, or by causing a strangulation at 

 some point (perhaps the point of junction between the stalk 

 and stem), brings about the colorations alike remarkable for 

 their brilliancy and variety, as compared with the leaf of more 

 temperate climates." 



" To persons who have not seen them before, there is an 

 amount of grace, elegance, beauty, and variety in the grouping 

 and coloration of the Canadian forest trees at this season really 

 beyond conception. The bright and variegated hues of the 

 maple and moose wood, with the birch, beech, etc., either 

 dispersed, grouped, or solitary, form beautiful pictures, each 

 tree vying with the other in the transcendent beauty of its 

 dapplings and shadings, which, coupled with the cool, bracing 

 climate, create such happy feelings in the lookers-on, that I 

 certainly think if the question is asked the traveller what he 

 most admired in a Canadian forest, he would unhesitatingly 

 decide in favour of the autumnal change of the leaf. (i^th) 

 Weasels and hares not yet showing signs of winter change, 

 although the nights are frosty, and migratory water- fowl from 

 more southern regions are passing through rapidly. (iyt/i.) 

 First snows, cold winds. (21st.) Winter migratory birds 

 arriving, the first ' snow bunting ' of the season. Cusk com- 

 ing up river. (2$tk.) Snow and frost now the order of the day. 

 All migratory water-fowl pushing rapidly southwards ; and 

 winter residents and new-comers putting in their appearance. 

 The last of the summer migrants — to wit, robins, chipping 

 sparrows, and snow birds, lagging on in small numbers ; the 

 last to go as they were the first to come." 



" November 6th.— The pine bullfinch {P. Canadensis) arrived, 

 and feeding on the elder-berries ; so tame and unconcerned 

 that you may slip a horsehair noose over its head when so 

 employed, (gtk.) Hare and weasels changing colour rapidly. 

 Ruffed partridge and Canadian grouse about to take to the 

 pine boughs for food. Cusk increasing in numbers in the river. 



