1893
May 11
(no 2)
Concord, Mass.
  Melvin arrived at West Bedford at 3.45 to pass
the night with me. We took a walk before tea
but saw nothing new. There were apparently no
migrants along the river shore of Ball's Hill or in
the woods behind. A Wilson's Thrush calling out
evening. 
[margin]A night at
Ball's Hill[/margin]
  The Bittern has returned to his favorite haunt 
on the south edge of Great Meadow. He pumped 
there steadily until it was nearly dark. These
ceased but later I heard him several times,
at wide intervals, give a single thump and
once a little after 10 P.M. he gave the full
pumping performance. The night was clear but 
there was no moon. Probably this nocturnal 
"singing" meant no more than that of the many
diurnal birds which occasionally sing at night. 
[margin]Bittern 
pumps at 
night[/margin]
  Hylas & Toads kept up a deafening clamor all 
night. Many of the Toads were making the loud
squalling cry which has been thought by several of
us to distinguish Bufo fowleri but which Mr. Germane
says is merely the summer note of the Common Toad.
[margin]Hylas & Toads.[/margin]
  Some rather large animal, a Rabbit we thought,
came close about the cabin at about 11 P.M. cracking
dead twigs & making a prodigious rustling in
the leaves. It finally ran past the door, thumping
loudly on the turf. (I found tracks of a Raccoon
next day in a sandy place in the path near the 
crossing of the swamp behind Ball's Hill)
[margin]Nocturnal
visitor[/margin]