1896
October 11
Concord, Massachusetts.
 Cloudy with strong N.E. wind.
 I came to Concord late yesterday afternoon
and am staying at the Keyes' as usual.
  After working for several hours on the canoes this
morning I launched one of them and paddled
down to Ball's Hill where I spent about an hour
and then returned sailing all the way back.
The river is at about its average October level.
The meadows are very green & attractive but the
pickerel weed and other semi-aquatic plants have
been killed by the frost. The autumn coloring is
comparatively dull and most of the maples have
already shed the greater part of their foliage.
The oaks are still green but the chestnut trees are
turning. The crop of chestnuts is said to be heavy
this year and Blue Jays are numerous.
  Pat tells me that about twenty-five Ducks have
been killed by Gallant between Flint's bridge and Ball's Hill
and George Keyes says that Jones saw over fifty
the other evening while lying in a blind on the edge
of the meadow found opposite Davis's Hill. I saw no
water fowl today except a Grebe (P. podiceps) which
was swimming about in front of the cabin.
  Of the smaller birds I saw or heard Chickadees, a White
bellied Nuthatch, a Kinglet (satrapa) two Creepers, robins,
Yellow rumps, Song Sparrows, Chippies, four Tit larks, 8 or 10
Jays, 12 or 15 Crows