Winter Fauna of Mount Marcy. 



25 



little surprising; perhaps it may yet be met with. The 

 ptarmigan or white partridge is sought for in vain, and 

 probably does not exist within the State. It would, 

 undoubtedly, if introduced, find a livelihood upon the 

 open or barren portion of Mount Marcy in summer, and 

 secure sufficient support among the small dwarf timber 

 in winter. 



The blue jay which I noticed frequently this season at 

 altitudes of from 1,000 to 2,500 feet did not show itself 

 upon Mount Marcy, nor was a specimen of cedar bird 

 noticed anywhere, even in the valleys or lowlands. 



But what a strange and wonderful winter habitation 

 have these mountain dwellers. The peak's appearance at 

 a distance is now that of a vast snow cone or dome uprear- 

 ing itself against the dark blue vault of heaven. Black 

 ledges here and there show themselves in deep, sharp con- 

 trast with the spotless mantling around, and dark ever- 

 green forests slope upward from the gloomy depths of the 

 gorges; breaking, as the ledges are reached, into long, 

 upward trending curves or belts of timber that struggle 

 up the cliffs, diminishing and dwarfing till the timber line 

 is reached. From the icy summit we behold a very 

 different view. We stand upon the highest land in New 

 ^ork, the centre of an icy citadel ! Frozen clouds drift 

 slowly and wearily below. Away to the south and west 

 in billows and billows of dazzling silver, they extend to 

 where the horizon joins with them in mingled brilliancy. 

 The sun sinks slowly westward. Behind us on each 

 mountain side the deepening shadows of other mountains 

 climb. The gorges begin to fill with unutterable gloom; 

 and now the sinking sun shakes from itself for one 

 moment the haze and mist, and covers our mountain with 

 a burst of glory that makes it seem transfigured. All the 

 frost wreathed forest on the sun-side slopes, bursts into 

 sparkling light, each tree a weird Christmas tree, adorned 



Trans, ix.'] 4 



