1892
March 17
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass
Concord. - A still, pleasant day the sun shining at times,
at others obscured or diminished by fields of lazily drifting
clouds. Ther. 16[degrees] at sunrise, 38[degrees] at noon; the latter point
is the highest reached during the past six days.
  To Ball's Hill by boat at 10 A. M. taking my gun
for the first time this year. A Bluebird was warbling
near Flint's bridge but the Song Sparrows were silent
although I saw several along old walls and in brush
piles near the river. As I was passing [?] Hunt's
farm a Shrike flew up into the upper branches of the
old swamp oak and began screaming and uttering a
scolding, Jay-like chatter. This was doubtless the same
bird which I saw yesterday and the day before, as
well as at other dates during the past month, although
it has usually been on the other side of the river.
[margin]Shrike[/margin]
  Nothing more of interest was seen until I reached
Dakin's Hill where just as I rounded the bend opposite
the mouth of Holden's brook I caught sight of the
Wild Goose which I left there yesterday. It was
sitting quietly on the water among the stems of the 
flooded maples & willows on the west side of the river
about 100 yds. from me, but as soon as it saw me
it raised its head and neck and started to swim
down stream. I was facing the bow of my boat
using my double-bladed paddles and putting forth
all my strength I forced the boat swiftly through
the water hoping to get within shot before the
Goose could take wing. This plan succeeded
admirably for the big bird surprised, doubtless,
by my sudden appearance and rapid approach,
became evidently confused and swam first this
[margin]The Wild Goose
again[/margin]