APBIL. 
87 
-F. — I think the Grouse winters here^ though it is not 
much seen in winter. They will soon begin to drum, which 
is the sexual call of the male. It is a curious noise : Wilson 
compares it to the striking together of two blown bladders^ 
slowly at firsts but more and more quickly^ until the strokes 
run into one another, and have the effect of one continued 
rumbling sound, gradually dying away. He says it is per- 
formed -thus : — The cock^, standing on an old prostrate log^ 
generally in a retired and sheltered situation, lowers his 
wings, erects his expanded tail, contracts his throat, elevates 
the two tufts of feathers on the neck, and inflates his whole 
body, something in the manner of the turkey-cock, strutting 
and wheeling about with great stateliness. After a few 
manoeuvres of this kind, he begins to strike with his stif- 
fened wings in short and quick strokes, which become more 
and more rapid until they run into each other, as has been 
already described." 
C. — The Honey-bees are busy : how soon they find out 
the nectar of the poplar and willow catkins! they are throng- 
ing around those trees in considerable numbers. 
F The Buttercup (Ranunculus Acris ), Clover ( Tri- 
folium Pratense ), and wild Strawberry ( Fragaria Virgi- 
niana J, begin to put forth their young leaves ; and I see the 
grass is sprouting in the woods and sheltered places. 
C. — What very remarkable mountain is that to the west- 
ward, so elevated above all the neighbouring land ? the snow 
on its summit and sides shines brightly in the sun, and 
strongly contrasts with the azure tint of the wooded parts. 
F, — It has often struck my own attention, as being so 
conspicuous an object from this road, as well as from its evi- 
dent height, and the singularity of its shape, somewhat 
resembling that of a couching lion. I have had no opportu- 
