1878 Concord
across the river and was just
entering the reeds when I fired.
It dove once as quickly as a
"Dipper". When we entered the bay
we came upon a Grebe (P. [Podilymbus] podiceps)
which I nearly got a shot at. I
saw its black throat distinctly
and suppose it must have been 
an adult. From Fairhaven down
to the town we sailed slowly
before a gentle breeze skipping
along close to the button bushes
that fringe the bank. In the
quiet, peaceful sunset hour
the chucking of the ground
squirrel came distinctly from wood-
ed hillsides half a mile away.
A very few Rusty Grackles came 
in to roost in the button bushes
and a few Tit Larks circled on the
meadows. A little later the musk
rats cut their silvery ripples across
the darkening water. It was to me
a day of rare enjoyment.
1878 Return to Cambridge
Oct. 18, (Friday) Yesterday
was spent in the house.
C. had an unusually bad 
headache and I busied 
myself with working upon
the birds shot Wednesday.
  This morning was clear
and warm. I drove up
to "Fifty Acre Meadow" after
some grasses and spent
a good deal of time packing 
up our belongings.
  Late in the afternoon 
we had "Quincy" harnessed
and drove down to
Cambridge. As we came
by Sandy pond I discovered
a Ruddy Duck sailing
about in the cove next
the road. His plump little
form floating on the water
was a great temptation but I
had no time to stop & stalk him