Morning drive. 
1891 
April 19
Mass.   
Cambridge, Belmont, Lexington. Starting at 9.30 A. M. 
I drove to and around the Payson place, through Waverly 
up the road past the mill-ponds through the Willows 
to the Wellington place and home by way of Wellington 
lane, the cotton Spring road, Prospect St., and 
Concord turnpike. 
  The day was clear with the sky full of summer clouds, 
great drifting masses of cumulus clouds like those 
which precede a thunder storm. The thermometer rose to 
74[degrees] at noon and it was uncomfortably warm in the  
sun while the breeze, for perhaps the first time this 
year, was refreshing rather than chilling. the high 
temperature of the past two days with the rain last night 
has forces vegetation forward at a marvelous rate. 
To-day near the whole face of the country was green 
[?] the northern slopes of the interior hills and the 
bog meadows. The two early horse chestnut trees on
Mrs. Nichols' place had unfolded many of their leaves 
to the size of a child's hand and some of the apple 
trees showed small leaves. Forsythia in full bloom in 
city gardens and Saxifrage in  the woods. Most of the 
willow pussies out of bloom. Red maples and elms 
in fullest possible bloom the former especially showing 
their blossoms varying in tint from dark orange to 
pink and coral red.
  Flickers, Robins and Grass Finches in great numbers 
Song Sparrows either compared to a week ago or 
silent. Many Swamp Sparrows in the Willows. Six bluebirds 
seen in all. A Red-shouldered Hawk screaming over Rock 
Meadow. As we passed Fresh Pond returning at about noon, I 
discovered a flock of 12 Canada Geese floating on the water 
near the middle, all facing the wind, with heads up & evidently on 
the alert for danger.
[margin]Birds seen[/margin]
[margin]Wild Geese in 
Fresh Pond.[/margin]