237
Lake Umbagog.
1897.
Sept.10
(No 3)
  All through the warm dry days that we have had
of late the Pickering's Hylas have been unusually noisy.
I hear them constantly about camp and everywhere
through the woods. On the marshes I have heard only
the occasional tromp of a Bull Frog. Why are the
Leopard, Pickerel and Wood Frogs so silent?
[margin]Hylas[/margin]
[margin]Bull-Frogs.
Leopard &
Wood Frogs[/margin]
  Save for the yellow mottling sarsaparilla leaves
and a bit of crimson maple foliage here and there
along the Lake shores I had noted no signs
of the approach of the [delete]green change[/delete] transformation that
must so soon take place in these woods until
early yesterday morning when, on stepping out of
the camp door I found that the arches of the
birch grove were roofed with gold. Evidently the
change had begun at some time during the night.
Thus far it had affected only the under foliage
but to-day many of the leaves at or near the
tips of the upper branches are turned. Some of
them are now falling as the strong west wind
rakes through the grove. I see no autumn coloring
elsewhere. The Maples & Moosewoods (A. pensylvanicum),
at least those near camp, are still as green
as in midsummer.
[margin]First marked
change of
foliage[/margin]
  To the Outlet marshes at evening. Found them wholly
submerged but with beds of grass rising above the water in
places. Lay for an hour in one of these beds. A flock
of 5 Black Ducks alighted near but out of range. Heard
others quacking. Also heard two Herons, a Golden
Plover & a Solitary Sandpiper but no Owls.
[margin]Outlet Marshes
at evening[/margin]
[margin]Black Ducks
Herons
Golden Plover[/margin]