EUEAL HOUES. 
\ 
\ SPEING. 
Saturday, March 4//j. — EverytEing about us looks thoroughly 
wintry still, and fresh snow hes on the ground to the depth of a 
foot. Om quite enjoys the sleighing, however, as there was veiy 
httle last month. Drove several miles down the valley this morn- 
ing in the teeth of a sharp wind, and flumes of snow, but after 
facing the ctild bravely, one brings home a sort of virtuous glow 
which is not\to be picked up by cowering over the fireside ; it is 
with this as vnth more important matters, the effort brings its own 
reward. \ 
Tuesday, Y th . — Milder ; thawmg. Walking near the river this 
afternoon, we say a party of wild ducks flying northward ; some 
few of these bircy remain here all wmter, but they are seldom 
observed except the sportsman ; these were the first we had 
seen for several months. In the spring and autumn, when so 
many of the diflierel^t varieties are passing to and fro, they are 
common enough. TWe large waterfowl also passed along in the 
same direction ; we believed them to he loons ; they were in sight 
only for a moment, owing to the trees above us, but we heard a 
loud howling cry as they flew past like that of those birds. It is 
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