1892
Sept. 11
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord. Another fine day much like the three or
four that have preceeded it but cooler with E. wind.
  To Ball's Hill at 2 p.m. paddling down and 
sailing most of the way back, reaching the house
a little after sunset. On the way down I saw
nothing of much interest except a Hummingbird,
which flew across the river and kept straight on
southward over the Great Meadow leading me
to suspect that it was migrating , and a solitary
Bobolink feeding on wild rice at the lower rapids.
[margin]Hummingbird migrating[/margin]
  I landed at my cabin and walked to Benson's
Knoll. Two swifts were flying about in a desultory 
manner over Ball's Hill, evidently feeding, and as
I was lying on Benson's Knoll watching the Doves nest
an Osprey appeared directly over me but at a 
height of several hundred feet when it sailed
majestically in circles for several minutes sometimes
spreading its tail like a fan, again closing it.
I seldom see this fine species now.
[margin]Swifts[/margin]
[margin]Osprey[/margin]
  The young Doves are both sitting quietly on their 
nest which they covered almost completely. Their heads
today are covered with feathers only a little down
remaining of the cheeks. Their tails were about 2 inches
in length & their wings appeared fully feathered. No signs
of the old birds although I watched for them some time.
[margin]Young Doves still in nest[/margin]
  Four Cedar Birds catching flies over the river at sunset. 
[margin]Cedar Birds catching flies[/margin]
  A few water lilies are still blooming in the river.
The rose mallow has just shed its last blossoms.