1891.
Oct. 8
(No 5)
Mass.
Saugus & Revere Marshes. - singing loudly and freely.
It was delightful to hear them after my long
absence in England.
  We half expected to find White-bellied Swallows
on these marshes but none were observed.
  Savanna Sparrows were generally distributed over
the salt marshes, usually occurring in small
flocks, but they were not so numerous as I
had expected to see them.
  The uncut grass on the marshes was of a
rich russet color, the portions which have been
mown oft he brightest and most perfect green
the young grass being several inches high and
apparently growing rapidly. A species of Gerardia
which lavender blossoms occurred in many places
and patches of brilliant yet rather pale scarlet
were supplied by the Samphire. It was interesting
to find that even these salt marshes are not
devoid of the burning tints which prevail in
the woodlands at this season.
  Over nearly the whole extent of marsh which
we traversed we were surprised to find hen's eggs 
scattered profusely. In many places long wind-
rows of them [deleted][?][/deleted] indicated the latest
high water mark which the surface of the
river was dotted with them. We saw several
crates nearly full of these eggs floating up the
creeks with the tide. Probably they came from
some vessel wrecked or foundered off the coast.
  I reached the Almy's in Cambridge at 6.30 P.M.