1891
April 9 
  Mass.
  Concord.- the most spring-like day thus far with light 
N. to E. and S. E. wind, cloudless sky and deliciously
warm sunshine.
 To Concord with Faxon by 8:06 train on Lowell R. R. 
Reached the Manse about 9 A. M. Robins, Bluebirds, 
Redwings, Song Sparrows & one Fox Sparrow singing. 
The pair of Downy Woodpeckers in the trees by the 
boat house but the Nuthatches absent. A single 
Pewee, the first I have seen, flitting about near the 
water occasionally singing rather faint-heartedly. Three 
Crow blackbirds in the orchard. An immense Muskrat 
swimming to and fro and diving just outside the bushes.
  We paddled down stream to Ball's Hill before landing.
Saw few birds except Song Sparrows and bluebirds. A 
single swallow (T. bicolor) was flying over the flooded 
meadow. Robins singing but no Colaptes heard during 
the entire day.
  At Ball's hill I started a Crow from the nest under 
which Bolles and I found the supposed Owl's pellets 
last Monday. Wood Frogs in full cry in a pool 
behind the ridge, sounding like a host of ducks & 
geese quacking and honking. We lay on the river 
bank in the sun for nearly an hour talking and 
smoking. Heard a Muskrat swimming in the 
bush opposite but could not see him. 
starting on we rounded Ball's Hill and followed 
the shores beyond closely. Two fox sparrows in the 
thicket by the wall where we left a dozen on 
the 6th. Are there some of the same lot or more 
recent animals?
  On reaching the base of the pine-clad hill