Concord, Mass.
1893 Oct. 25.                                                                              
  Clear, still, warm, -- the typical weather thus far this
remarkable month. Since I returned from Umbagog (on the 18th)
there has not only been frost but the weather has been really
uncomfortably warm. The gardens are still bright with flowers 
and last night autumn crickets were chirping outside my window
although most of the trees are as leafless as in the winter.
  I came to Concord on the 22nd driving up from West Newton
having agreed to shoot with Melvin every day this week. It raine-
ed heavily all day on the 23rd and during the morning of the
24th, which I spent at Cambridge.
  I drove to Carlisle this morning and with Melvin beat all
the Woodcock ground we know in this region about the Parker Lot.
We started nothing but four exceedingly wild Partridges and did
not fire a shot all day. Small birds were rather numerous,
especially Robins and Juncos. I returned to the Thoreau House
(where I am staying) before sunset.