Concord, Mass.
1896
April 16
(No 4)
[April 16, 1896]

Evening on Great Meadow

heard the rasping cry of a Snipe and saw two of these
birds rise against the sky and fly off eastward. Ten
minutes later five Snipe came whirling past me in a 
close bunch and alighted I thought. I waited some
time longer hoping to hear a bird or two drum but
they were not apparently in the mood for this although
it seemed an ideal evening - so very warm and with
a young moon high in the west. Perhaps it was
too warm or the oozy marsh, just uncovered by the
rapidly falling water, may have offered too great
attractions.
  When it had become nearly dark the lone Goose
came flapping heavily past me within about 200 yards
honking incessantly and crossing the path of a
pair of Night Herons (the first I have seen) which
were scaling down on set wings preparatory to alighting.
I think the Goose alighted, also, but I could not
make sure. When I left the meadow the Frogs
were making (if possible) more clamor than ever
and at the Keyes's they & the Toads (very numerous
to-night) kept up an incessant din until I
fell asleep.

Young Painted Tortoises

  Digging a hole in the sandy path near the cabin
this morning I turned out five or six young Painted
Tortoises which were about as large as silver dollars.
They were in the nest for with them I uncovered the
shells of the eggs which had contained them. These shells
were dry & they looked old & grimy as if the hatching
had taken place months ago. The young Turtles were in
a semi-torpid state & the hot sun did not seem to
increase their activity so I buried them again.