1892
May 3
(No 2)
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord. - followed in all its doublings by the
Hawk which seemed ever on the point of catching
it and twice, as I could see, thrust out a foot
to snatch at at but finally gave over the chase
in evident despair and disgust and turning,
flew leisurely back to the woods from whence
it started. The first dash was made with great
energy and grace but after the Sparrow eluded
it and took to flight the Hawk handled
himself awkwardly and behaved with less spirit
although he had no difficulty in overtaking the
Sparrow.
  After I had secured my load of trees to the
deck of the canoe by a strong lashing I set
sail for home making most of the distance
to the railroad bridge before I had to resume
the paddle.
  I saw a few blossoms of shad bush out on
Sunday (May 1) and more today but it cannot
be said to be generally in blossom as yet. There
are a few violets & anemones in sheltered places.
The grass is green everywhere and in the meadows
is from six to twelve inches tall.
[margin]Shad bush
blooms.[/margin]
  Saw many Swallows, chiefly Barn & White-bellied with
two or three Sand Swallows and Martins. Of the
last I counted seven sitting on a bird house in
cultivated grounds just above Heard's bridge where
the river bank is terraced. They have bred them
for years.
  The colony of Crow Blackbirds at Judge Hoar's has about
20 birds. Rusty Grackles very abundant everywhere to-day.