1891
May 8
Mass.
Boston to Martha's Vineyard. - Morning cool wind N.E. shifting to S.W. later
in the day the following night warm. Sky filled with dense haze the
sun looking like a red balloon and casting no shadows. 
  To Martha's Vineyard with Faxon by 12 M. train via New Bedford
and steamer across Buzzard's Bay. From car window saw a
Sharp-shinned Hawk on the Neponsett meadows in Dedham. Crossing
Buzzard's Bay saw ten or twelve White-winged Scoters, all in pairs
or singly, and two Loons (U. imber), one adult, the other "gray".
In the channel between Naushon and Wood's Hole started a flock
of five Black Scoters, two drakes & three females. Between Wood's Hole
and West Chop saw a Loon (adult), a Cape Race (Urinator lumme),
a Herring Gull (gray), and a few White-winged Scoters. At the
head of the bight near Vineyard Haven were six Laughing Gulls
in full plumage sitting on a sand bar and on flats beyond
the neck that separates the harbor from the river bay at least 
thirty large Gulls which we took for L. smithsonianus although
they were too far off to be accurately determined. 
  At about 6 P.M. we started from Vineyard Haven for N.Tisbury
in a curious vehicle resembling a "black Maria" the sides, [delete]and[/delete] front
and back wholley enclosed in leather, wood or glass. It was difficult
to see or hear much from this conveyance. English Sparrows were
observed in the town before starting and in the village of N. Tisbury
and an occasional Bluebird or Meadow Lark along the road. At
N. Tisbury while stopping at the post office we heard a Chimney
Swift, Chipping Sparrows, a Robin, & a Song Sparrow. At N. Tisbury
Grackles were clucking in evergreens about a house, a Parula
feeding in willows over a pond, a Purple Finch and Robins singing. 
Only two Crows & one Marsh Hawk seen during the drive. It was
past sunset when we reached Mrs. Adams' house in N. Tisbury.
Hylas and toads were singing in a pond. Vegetation is not as far
advanced as at home. The oaks just unfolding their buds. The woods
everywhere beautiful with the sugar pear (Am. botryapium) The common shad bush not seen.