1905] Exrracts From Diary or THE Late Rost. ELLiotr. 175 
_ June 5. Found nest of Redstart among young maples at 
Model Farm, placed in fork of sapling seven feet from the ground; 
composed outside of weathered vegetable fibre,. inside fine grass 
stalks, rootlets and a few hairs, contents three Redstart eggs and 
one Cowbird’s, incubated about two days. The latter egg was 
sunk more than half way down the bottom of the nest and would 
not likely have been successfully hatched, 
March 4, 1888. Dark, cold and dreary. Wind north or 
northwest, snowing a little A.M., darker P.M. Winter Wrens 
singing. Brown Creepers and Golden Crested Kinglets very 
common. From appearances, today may be taken for mid-Nov. 
ember. A close glance, however, reveals many reassuring signs 
of the revival of nature. In the woods innumerable mottled 
leaves of Erythronium are boldly pushing through the withered 
relics of last year’s vegetation ; Jeffersonia is daringly lifting her 
delicate looking flower buds beside the pond; and in sheltered 
neoks, reptiles, etc. are freeing themselves from winter’s iron 
grasp. 
March 24. Cold and clear. Saw two Pileated at edge of 
woods not far from house. One would cackle and the other 
would start the echoes witha ringing caw. They looked very 
fine, the setting sun striking their brilliant scarlet crests. 
April 27. Young Shore Larks on the wing. Saw Water 
Thrush feeding in shallow water in willows. How quickly nature 
responds to the warm invitation of the sun. Today plants are 
springing up in every nook and cranny. Podophyllum is lifting 
its umbrella to shelter its wax-like blossoms from the glare ; 
Dicentra will soon hang her ear drops in the fresh air ; Claytonias 
are out in all their modesty and sweetness ; Hepaticas are very 
common and already Lrigenza bulbosa is setting her tiny seeds. 
Good bye, dear little harbinger of Spring, well have you fulfilled 
your mission. 
April 27. The summer Warbler is singing cheerily from 
the willows and cherry trees today for first. Young Shore Larks 
on the wing. Saw Water Thrush feeding in shallow water 
among willows. How quickly Nature responds to the warmth. 
May 2. Hoar frost last night. Morning clearing and 
