The Tundra 北極地區的苔原
The Tundra of the Arctic Regions
These are the signs of the coming arctic winter：The color of the tundra changes as the water grasses turn brilliant red.The migratory birds gather in flocks along the coast and gradually drift southward.Most of the birds that have spent the brief summer on the tundra now disappear，leaving only the golden eagle，the gyrfalcon，the ptarmigan，and the snowy owl to brave the sunless northern winter.
As the lakes and ponds freeze over，a thin mantle of snow covers the sedge.Occasionally a young and inquisitive arctic fox may be seen loping across the tundra.The weasel and the lemming begin to change color；as the winter deepens，their coats will turn snow-white.
During the first week in August the arctic sun dips below the horizon for the first time since May――it has not set all summer long.The gold and purple sunsets color the subfreezing waters of the Arctic Ocean.
By the end of September or early October the tundra is dark and seems deserted；winter has taken hold of the arctic for another nine long months.
北極地區的苔原
這些都是北極地區冬季即將來臨的征候：隨著水草變成艷紅色，北極苔原的顏色也改變了；候鳥沿著海岸成群聚集，并逐漸南移；在苔原度過短暫夏天的大部分鳥類現已消失，只剩下金鷹、白隼、松雞和雪白色的貓頭鷹來迎接這沒有太陽的北極之冬。
隨著湖泊、水塘全部冰封，蓑衣草披上了薄薄的一層雪衣，也許偶而能見到一只好奇的北極幼狐慢跑著越過苔原。黃鼠狼和旅鼠開始改變顏色，隨著深冬的來臨，它們的毛皮將會變成雪白色。
8月的第一個星期，北極的太陽自5月以來第一次沉入地平線以下――整個夏天太陽都沒有落山。金色和紫色的夕陽把冰點以下的北冰洋水染成了五顏六色。
9月底或10月初，苔原是黑暗的，似乎是一片荒蕪；冬天在長達9個月的時光中又主宰了北極。
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