Al Naturalist’s Calendar For Prince Edward Island

The Rev. Gilbert White, in his “Natural History of Sel- borne,” has left us a classic example of what a Naturalist's Calendar ought to be. He was fortunate enough to live in a sout'hland parish, and in a country where wild life had not to contend with the rigors of a winter like ours; so that he could gather the flowers of Winter Acontie'and Polyanthus, and listen to the “Red-breast” (Robin) singing, on the first of January. The month holds few such amenities for us.

“The time admits not flowers or leaves To deck the banquet. Fiercely flies

The blast of North and East, and ice Makes daggers at the sharpen’d eaves—”

Our calendar therefore takes a wider range and includes records of many natural phenomena.

JANUARY

In Canada generally this month is signalized by the “January thaw.” The date is a little uncertain, but the records available show that in this Province we may expect a thaw between the 10th and the 20th of the month. In sequence the wind backs to the S.E., with rising temperature; a rainstorm ensues, and the wind returns to the N.W., often by a sudden jump.

Here are a few items in the January records.

The Earth is in perihelion (nearest to the Sun) on Jan. Ist to 4th, according to the year.

Crows flying and vocal Jan. 2, and 26th, 1931. Capelin unusually plentiful in the bays, Jan., 1931. ‘

John MacSwain noted the closing of rivers Jan. 4, 1908. Hills‘boro River still open Jan. 4, 1919.

-“ Winter flight of tame lbees noted, Jan. 4, 1925. Wells short of water that month.

Slight earth tremor felt. in Charlottetown, Jan. 4, 1930. (Attributed to slipping of the geological “Fundean Fault”.)

Pi-ne Grosbeaks—plentiful this year—observed feeding on frozen rowan—berries, Jan. 6, 1918.

Larva of Arctia Moth, locally “Woolly Bear,” active, Jan. 10, 1917.

VVhite—footed Mice (Peromyscusl trapped in the house, Jan. 11, 1935.