Evening at Clematis brook.
1891 
April 17
Mass. 
Waltham. - Clear and warm. Wind E. veering to S.W. 
at sunset.
  Starting at 5.45 P. M. I drove down to the Warren [?] 
George walking the horse about until I returned 
to the road and started for home at 7. P. M. 
I reached the Woodcock ground at 6.30 and 
waited there nearly half an hour without 
either seeing or hearing any bird. As the 
Davis hill (Lexington) Woodcock was also 
absent from his singing ground on the evening 
of the 15th I conclude that both those 
Woodcock were migrants which the recent 
warm weather has sent further north. 
  A flock of 25 Crows were circling over the 
Norway Spruces on the Payson place as I 
passed and others were continually flying 
over the pine grove at the head of the Warren
[?] which I first reached the [?] place. 
Why are they not at their nests now?
No birds singing in the valley along the 
river except Song Sparrows & Robins. Heard 
a field Sparrow chipping and are very 
sure I started a Snipe from a springy 
place in the old lane through which I 
returned to the road. I heard it [?] 
[?] but the ringing chorus of Hylas & toads 
nearly drowned the lesser sound.
  during the drive this morning Saw a 
Sharp-shinned Hawk in an orchard behind 
Fresh Pond. Went through the Payson place 
& listened for the Mockingbird but heard nothing 
of him.