Drive to Wellesley & return
1891
May 3
Mass.
Cambridge - Wellesley. - Cloudy & warm. Wind S.W. A brisk rain began at
10 A.M. and lasted until 5 P.M. when the clouds scattered & the sun
set in a clear sky.
  Starting at 9.30 A.M. I drove to Wellesley and after spending
the day with Denton returned late in the afternoon. The vegetation
continues to advance rapidly and steadily and has now
reached a stage unprecedented for this date as far as my
experience goes. Cherry blossoms falling to-day; pear trees in
full boom; apple blossoms on the point of unfolding; the
woods veiled in tender green; salmon and yellowish russet; 
all the trees, except the ashes, covered with small leaves.
White oak leaves two inches in length. The birches and
poplars in nearly half foliage and horse chestnuts so dense
with large leaves that the eye cannot penetrate their 
canopies. Vegetation generally, in short, is at about the
point reached in average seasons by May 15 to 20.
  I saw a good many common birds during my
drive but nothing new or of peculiar interest. Robins
seem to me scarce this season and thus for they
have not sung freely. I listen for the morning and
evening choruses but hear only a single bird. Are the
times changing or does memory deceive me?
  Noted only one Bluebird a [male], silent. Two White-throated
Sparrows by the roadsides. Swifts in good number
circling over Lower Falls at sunset & two over Watertown,
none elsewhere and none over my garden since the
four seen one evening in April.
  After my return this evening I discovered a Cat-bird
in the garden. He sang in the faintest possible tones,
a mere whisper audible only a few yards away. I
hope the cats will spare him.