25
Concord, Mass.
1897.
April 12
  Clear with moderate N.W. wind. There was a hard frost
last night the ground and shallow pools in the meadows being
frozen this morning.
  Gilbert arrived by an early train and we spent the
forenoon putting away the "Stella Maris" canoe for the summer
and fitting up the open canoe for my use the remainder
of the spring.
  In the afternoon we drove to Bateman's Pond for
rock ferns and to Lincoln for hepaticas getting a good
supply of both. We saw but few birds and nothing of
especial interest excepting a large flock of Bronzed Grackles
in the white pines about the R.W. Emerson place.
  After our return and just before sunset, however, as
I was standing with Miss Keyes in front of the house
five Canada Geese suddenly appeared coming from
the direction of Fairhaven and passing directly over
Red Bridge at a height not exceeding 100 feet! Through
the glass I could see their marking distinctly. They
were flying very slowly and appeared to be tired and
undecided whether to alight or to keep on. The[y] finally
settled on the latter course and rising slightly west
off to the Northward over the Buttericks' house.
" [April] 13
  On the morning of the 13th I went to Cambridge
where I shall spend the coming week.
  Chipping Sparrows arrived in force in Concord this morning
according to Will Bartlett and Mrs. Kethel heard one singing
in Cambridge. I am very sure there were none in
Concord yesterday.