WILD DUCKS 49 



man and his dog, or other foe ; so perhaps the leaves oil 

 the ground protect them more than when on the trees. 



March 25, 1858. There are so many sportsmen out 

 that the ducks have no rest on the Great Meadows, 

 which are not half covered with water. They sit uneasy 

 on the water, looking about, without feeding, and I see 

 one man endeavor to approach a flock crouchingly 

 through the meadow for half a mile, with india-rubber 

 boots on, where the water is often a foot deep. This has 

 been going on, on these meadows, ever since the town 

 was settled, and will go on as long as ducks settle here. 



March 28, 1858. From Wheeler's ploughed field on 

 the top of Fair Haven Hill, I look toward Fair Haven 

 Pond, now quite smooth. There is not a duck nor a 

 gull to be seen on it. I can hardly believe that it was 

 so alive with them yesterday. Apparently they improve 

 this warm and pleasant day, with little or no wind, to 

 continue their journey northward. The strong and cold 

 northwest wind of about a week past has probably 

 detained them. Knowing that the meadows and ponds 

 were swarming with ducks yesterday, you go forth this 

 particularly pleasant and still day to see them at your 

 leisure, but find that they are all gone. No doubt there 

 are some left, and many more will soon come with 

 the April rains. It is a wild life that is associated 

 with stormy and blustering weather. When the invalid 

 comes forth on his cane, and misses improve the plea- 

 sant air to look for signs of vegetation, that wild life 

 has withdrawn itself. 



Ajpril 13, 1858. Speaking to J. B. Moore * about the 



^ [Of Concord.] 



