1893
April 1
Concord, Mass
  Cloudless but the sun half obscured by a dense
smoky haze. A high S.W. wind all day. Morning
cool (ice formed on the ponds & coves last night)
but the afternoon oppressively warm the thermometer
probably rising to near 70[degrees].
[margin]To Ball's Hill[/margin]
  Soon after sunrise I heard through my open
window Blue birds, Song Sparrows & Red wings
singing in every direction. As I was dressing a
Meadow Lark began whistling just across the
road in Mr. Keyes's field. After breakfast while
I was on my way to the river the song of
a Phoebe came faintly but distinctly from the
trees by the north Bridge.
[margin]Birds Singing in the early morning
Phoebe[/margin]
  At 9 A.M. I launched the Rushton boat and
loading it heavily with blankets and provisions
started down river. Song Sparrows and Bluebirds
were singing on every bush but I heard no
Robins and neither saw nor heard a Flicker.
  Two Hooded Mergansers doubtless the same
noted yesterday, rose from the edge of the 
bushes just above Hunts' Pond and flew off
down river.
[margin]Hooded Mergansers[/margin]
  Soon afterwards a Goosander, a gray bird,
passed me within 200 yards, flying low down over
the flooded meadows.  Later in the day I saw
another gray bird and a fine old drake flying
up river past Ball's Hill.