Concord, Massachusetts
1895
March 30
  Cloudless with raging N. wind. Early morning and late
afternoon cold, ice forming on the sheltered covers of the flooded
meadows. Midday warm in places protected from the wind.
  Starting at 9 A.M. I sailed down to Ball's Hill and
landing at the cabin spent the forenoon in trimming out
the bush which has grown up around my little planted
pines. Bensen made me a visit and we had a long talk.
After dinner I paddled down to the birch island and
landing took a long walk about the Mason field and
through Prescotts' woods. Late in the afternoon I sailed
hours across the flooded meadows.
  Small birds were either very scarce or in hiding. I
saw only a pair or two of Chickadees, three or four
Song Sparrows and a few Blue Jays. Threw were a good
many Crows and an unusual number of Hawks; three
adult [male] Marsh Hawks, a pair of Red-shoulders, and
a fine Red-tail, I did not see a single Duck.
  Spring is very late this year. Indeed there are few
signs of it as yet save this open water of the river
and the presence of the Song Sparrows. The upland fields
although bare are absolutely s[?] and lifeless. Excepting
on southern slopes the woods still lie buried deep
in snow. The pussy willows are out and the maple
blossoms are swelling & veiling the trees in dull crimson
but not a Hyla or Wood Frog has ventured to peep as yet.
  The Grouse at Ball's Hill have been roosting regularly this
winter in the bushy pines on the path that leads to the
swamp where they have resorted for the past two years. The snow
beneath these trees is simply covered with their droppings.