Concord, Massachusetts.
1891.
Oct. 23
Carlisle & Acton. - When I awoke this morning it was 
snowing hard and the ground was white. It soon
changed to rain, however, and this finally ceased
before noon. The wind was northwest, not strong
at first but rising and increasing to a gale as
the day wore on. The sky cleared about 1 P.M. and
the afternoon was delightful although cold and 
blustering.
[margin]First snow storm[/margin]
  We waited at the Buttrick's all the forenoon
until the clouds began to break, then drove to
the Parker Lot and lunched in the sheltered side
of a house. After lunch we beat Wadleigh's Run.
Don found a Woodcock under some pitch pines
and pointed it staunchly. I flushed and
killed it, getting a rather difficult shot as it
rose at over into the pine branches and
doubled and twisted like a Snipe.
[margin]Woodcock shooting[/margin]
  We saw nothing else here and nothing save
a few Robins in Melvin's Run but on Farrar's
hill we started five Woodcock. Melvin flushed
the first by jumping over a wall. It went
of unshot at and was not again found.
The second, a very small active bird was started
by Melvin's dog and crossing an opening near
me fell to my shot. Don found the third
and pointed it staunchly. I called to Melvin
but could not make him hear so stepped
in and flushed the bird. Just as I shot
at it it turned sharply and I missed. It
made a circle and alighted very near me
Melvin now came up and walking forward