Concord, Mass.
1896
April 12
[April 12, 1896]

  Clear with light S. [South] wind. Ther. [thermometer] 62 [degrees] at noon.
  At sunrise this morning I heard through my open window
Robins, Bluebirds, Song Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Juncos, a Grass
Finch, a Purple Finch, Redwings [Red-winged Blackbird], Cowbirds, and a Phoebe, by
far the best chorus thus far this spring. The Meadow Lark [Meadowlark]
and Flicker are missing here this year. Both are apparently
very scarce in Concord. I have heard only two Flickers
one opposite Ball's Hill in W. Bedford [West Bedford], the other (to-day) near
Bateman's Pond. Of Meadow Larks [Meadowlark] I have seen a pair a
little below Flint's Bridge & a single bird in the middle
of Great Meadow.
  Photographing this forenoon walking to Bateman's Pond
by way of Dutton's Lane & Bow Meadow. On my return
I traversed a part of the spruce swamp on the west side
of the Bateman's pond wood road. The spruces are all
standing but they do not seem to have grown much since
I first saw them. The tallest trees are 40 to 45 ft. high.
They all look very green & vigorous. I was surprised to
find hemlocks among them standing in water several metres
deep in a swamp that is always wet.
  During my tramp I heard from four or five Grass Finches and
innumerable Song Sparrows. At Bateman's Pond a Flicker,
a single Redwing [Red-winged Blackbird] & a Chickadee were the only birds singing
within my hearing. Flushed six Partridges, four together in
one place, two in another.
  Saw innumerable Butterflies (six or eight together in sunny
openings or paths) and heard innumerable Wood Frogs (the
first) but only one Hyla (my third).
  It was so warm in the sun that I sought the shade whenever
possible.