308
Concord, Mass. [Massachusetts]
1897.
Oct. 27
(No 2)
  Later in the afternoon I discovered a Carolina 
Rail among the button bushes on the edge of the
river at the entrance to the dock where my
canoe lies. It was a young bird and exceedingly 
tame permitting me to approach within six
or eight feet without signs of fear. I watched it
for a long time as it fed along the margin of
the water jerking up its tail sharply at nearly 
every step. It was a beautiful little creature
whose every attitude & movement was grace itself.
  Just before sunset I paddled down river
to Davis's Hill. The lights and shadows over
the meadows were unusually fine. 
  The Muskrats are building houses everywhere
this autumn. I do not think that I have
ever seen so many below Ball's Hill as there
are there now.