1893
Aug. 9
Concord, Mass.

   Cloudless and very warm with light S. W. breeze.  The air,
however, was clear and remarkably dry so that the heat 
was not oppressive.

   Returning from D.C. F's studio where I spent the                             
forenoon I saw, at about 1 P.M., a flock of fully                                   
thirty Chimney Swifts high in air over the village
flying in a large circle rising and falling in graceful
confusion. Others were skimming about just above
the tree and joining or leaving the main flock which
revolved over the same spot as long as I was within
sight. It looked as if they were preparing to start
a migration. I heard at least one bird rumbling in
our chimney this morning.
[margin]Chimney Swifts[/margin]

   In the afternoon I went to Goose Pond with                                        
Mr. Hubbard and walked thence to Walden and Fairyland       
where we were met by one Father's men and driven home.
It was oppressively hot in the woods for the first hour
but after that as the sun sank behind the trees the
air became fresher and charged with delicate fragrances.
At Goose Pond we came upon a small mixed flock composed
of two King birds, four Blue Jays, five Chickadees and a Viery.
A Kingfisher perched on a dead branch watched the 
water with intentness although the pond contains no fish
of any kind. Perhaps the numerous small frogs or big tadpoles
interested him but we did not see him dive.
[margin] Goose Pond[/margin]
  
   Two or three Song Sparrows, a Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireo,    
a Red eye and a Black & White Creeper  were literally the                     
only birds heard singing during the whole day.
[margin]Birds
Singing[/margin] 

