fro and filling the air with a confusing medley of
roaring, whistling, creaking and snapping sounds.
One sees few birds in such weather except in very
sheltered places.
  The discomfort caused by these nor-westers
is undeniable but compensated for in large measure
by the interest one cannot fail to take in watching
the transformations which they effect in the
winter landscape. For wherever the wind has free
sweep it deals promptly and remorselessly with
the fine, dry, newly fallen snow. This is stripped
from the trees and bushes so quickly that belts
of forest which only a few moments before were
completely shrouded in white and scarce
distinguishable at a distance from bordering treeless
country, become very noticeable. The spire-shaped