were closely similar to those of the Purple finch.
Some of the low notes which reached my ear were
exceedingly sweet. I saw the birds eat pine and maple 
buds freely to-day. They kept up a low conversational
chatter, very musical & pleasing but distinct from the
song attempts more or less mingled with it.
  In P.M. I went over the Balsam & Glen Wood 
Tracks & worked on them for an hour or more
trimming the branches of the trees. Although
I was out 2 hours in all I did not see nor
hear a single living thing. Where do the birds
spend their afternoons at this season?
  The snow settled a good deal to-day. 
Bethel, Maine. March 9, 1904 
Ther. [Thermometer] 30 [degrees] - 7 A.M.; 26 [degrees]- 2 P.M.; 12 [degrees] - 9 [P.M.]
  Clear with high N.W. [northwest] wind and
steadily falling temperature; a typical March
day of the harsher type.
  Walked to post office after breakfast. Saw a
fresh Skunk trail evidently made last night following
a cross street & leading into a back yard in the very
heart of the village. On returning went to the Shack with
the Doctor & had a fire there. Heard & saw a Hairy W. [hairy woodpecker]
flying over the camp. Heard Grosbeaks also. Preston saw
flock of 12 in the orchard.
  In P.M. went over Balsam & Glen Wood tracks without
seeing a living thing. Fresh Pileated Wookpecker work made since
yesterday. Dr. Gehring saw a Crow fly past the house at 4 P.M.