1892.
Sept. 26
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord. A thunder shower last night and a heavy shower without
thunder at 9.45 a.m. after which the wind came from the N. W.,
increased gradually to nearly a full gale and dissipated wholly
the humid, sultry conditions which have prevailed for the past
few days. It was the first real autumn wind of the season
and it seemed to revel in its strength, wrestling with the
big, solitary trees as if determined to tear them out by the roots,
lashing the river, and the current meadow grass as well, into
waves, tearing open the foliage of the most sheltered thickets
and sending showers of crimson & gold leaves driving across
the fields and meadows. The river opposite Ball's Hill was
covered for hours with white capped waves at least two feet high.
[margin]Nor-wester[/margin]
  Down river at 9.30 a.m. in my "Stella Maris", stopping for
nearly half an hour beneath Flint's bridge to escape the shower
then proceeding under sail to the Holt when I landed and beat
the meadows. No Snipe nor any signs of them; no Titlarks nor
Sparrows and - most singular lack of all - no Marsh Hawks.
Nothing, in fact, saw Crows and one Bittern flying at an
unusual height (50 feet or more) across the meadow. About 40 Crows 
were mobbing an Owl, doubtless a Bubo, in the chestnut trees at Holden's Hill.
[margin]Crows mobbing an owl[/margin]
  As I turned into the broad reach opposite Ball's Hill a Carolina Grebe
started from among the button bushes and scuttled over the water
half-running half-flying directly towards me, stopping finally a
few yards off & after gazing at me curiously with upstretched
neck it dove & disappeared.
[margin]Carolina Grebe[/margin]
  I spent the day working in & near the house with George
but also took a turn through my woods seeing two Cat birds
and a Black-poll and starting a Grouse. As I was on my
way up river at evening I saw a small flock of Cow Birds and a Night Hawk.
[margin]Night Hawk[/margin]