Concord, Massachusetts
1895
April 6
(No 2)
number of Goosanders scattered about in every direction the
old drakes looking as big as Swans and nearly as white.
When the boys came past I asked them further about
their "Geese" and they replied that the birds they had seen
could be nothing else for they were "pure white"! Of
course they had [?] seen some of the big drakes Goosanders
looming on the still water. I watched these birds with much
interest and pleasure until my young gunners disturbed
them. There must have been at least fifty of them and
they enlivened the great sheet of water wonderfully by their
presence and recalled the old days when such sights were
common on Concord River in early spring. One pair of birds
were swimming near shore within 100 yards of me. The others were
scattered all the way down to near Carlisle Bridge. They
croaked and beat the water with their wings as they chased
one another in play. Finally the pair near me saw or heard
me and flew starting up all the others but they alighted
again after circling a few times. The boys soon afterwards
scattered & drove them off but during the remainder of
the day they were continually flying up & down past
the cabin in small flocks & one pair alighted & fished
on the meadows opposite.
  The evening was gray and still with warm damp air.
There was little singing until I neared the Buttricks' when
I heard Robins in every direction - three or four at
once - the first real Robin concert of this year.
  Stepping out of doors at 8:30 P.M. I heard Hyla,
the first, peeping somewhat feebly & intermittently in
the direction of Mill Brook. (Leopard Frogs were moving in
numbers at noon). Mr. Buttrick afterwards told me that at
9 P.M. this evening he heard s Snipe winnowing at short, regular
intervals over the Mill Brook meadow.