1893
April 28
(No 2)
Concord, Mass.
[margin]Ball's Hill[/margin]
  With George & Pat I spent the remainder of the
forenoon digging Rhodora bushes on Lawrence's shore. We
loaded Pat's boat with them and set them out
at Ball's Hill in the afternoon, the greater part directly
in front of the cabin.
  I sailed to & from the Lawrence's landing. On the
way back saw a Great Blue Heron flying in the
distance.
  A single White-throated sparrow which came several
times to feast on the hump seed scattered in front
of my cabin appeared to be the only bird of any
kind that was spending the day in that vicinity.
There appeared to be few small birds elsewhere. This
season is a very curious one. I have had several
very heavy migratory flights but except where this
"rush" was passing through the smaller birds have
been unusually scarce. Such as have settled have been
very very little. Indeed I have never known so silent
an April.
  Hylas now peep only in the early morning and
late in the afternoon as well as during the night
if the weater is warm. They began a little before five
o'clock this afternoon. Probably the sun is now too
warm for them at midday. Leopard Frogs are
croaking daily but I have not yet heard more
than a dozen or less in any one day. The Wood Frogs
have nearly or quite finished their vocal organs.
[margin]Frogs[/margin]
  I had a hard paddle home at sunset against the strong wind