Lake Umbagog
1896
May 17
(No 2)
[May 17, 1896]

Vegetation.

  Despite the warm weather of the past three days vegetation does not
seem to have advanced very materially. The poplar & birch foliage has
perhaps thickened a little but there is still little shade save under
evergreens. Trilliums continue in full bloom and the Shad Bush, Hobble
Bush, Red Cherry & Canada Plum have not begun to cast their petals.
The woods are simply charming here at this season and neither
black flies nor mosquitos have begun their tortures.

Arrivals.
Philadel. Vireos [Philadelphia Vireo]
Scarcity of Creepers, Kinglets & Winter Wrens

  Many birds arrived last night but the only two new to my
list were the Canadian Warbler & Red-eyed Vireos. The latter were
abundant & in full song everywhere this morning. I also heard
at least two Philadelphia Vireos. There are no
Solitary Vireos here this year and, strange to say, no Creepers
(Certhia) while the Golden Crest Kinglets [Golden-crested Kinglet] & Winter Wrens are
so scarce that thus far I have noted only one of each.
Maryland Yellow-throats numerous this morning for the first
time.

Woodcock sings nearly 200 yards from nest.

  Our Lakeside Woodcock fairly outdid himself to-night. He began
peeping at about 7:30 in the field below the road about ten yards from
the edge of the cover and not over 60 yards from the nest. I thought
at first that he was going to sing here but after peeping at rather wide
& irregular intervals for a few minutes he rose and flew to the
top of the hill behind the barn (the old place), skimming low over the
ground but rising four or five feet above the top strand of the barbed
wire fence as if aware of its position and danger. Upon reaching
the hill-top he began his song flights going up every minute or minute
and a half for the next half hour but ceasing before it became quite
dark. His mate probably laid her third egg to-day but we did not
visit the nest to see.