NATURE NOTES FROM ACADIA

THE MAD MOON

November, because of its inconsistencies, was regarded as the "Mad Moon" by certain tribes of our North American Indians. A day reminiscent of the summer may come in the course of the same week which yields another day of no uncertain wintryness. Some of our northern Novembers, like that of 1933, appear to be in ready sympathy with the season of snow and cold, while others, such as the one of this year, seem to declare in no uncertain terms their affinity with a milder season.

November is the month when the newspapers in many parts of the country give up much space to the predictions of mad "weather sharks." Not only are these prophets wrong in attaching any significance to the activities of animals as far as long-range weather predictinf is concerned, but often their reports as to the condition of an animal's fur or feather, the depth of its hibernating quarters, the thickness of the walls of the winter lodge it constructs, the amount of food it stores away, etc. are inaccurate field observations which are fitted to any belief which the prophet cared to hold. And the careful observer knows that robins, violets, tadpoles, and other living things - whose appearance in mid-autumn appears to be of special long-range weather-predicting significance to the fakers - put in their appearance every November in at least some of our northern states.

Tree frogs were heard on the last two days of November, 1934, as well as earlier in the month. A late garter snake was taken on the 5th, a mourning-cloak butterfly was seen on the 8th, little black crickets (Nemobius) were in song early in the month, and a number of wildflowers were reported (see article this issue, pages 2 and 3). Very little snow fell, and none could be found anywhere when the Mad Moon gave way to Decembor, the Moon of the Long Night.

- A. S.