336
Concord, Mass.
1897
Nov. 18
  Clear and cold with moderate N.W. wind - a day
for vigorous exertion but with no chill in the air.
  My work was again at Davis's Hill where with
Pat & Bensen I chopped and dragged brush along
the new road by the river which we practically
completed before night. It is very pretty winding
around the base of the hill with thickets on
either side and affording several most attractive
views down river.
  Birds were rather scarce to-day but on my way
over to the hill this morning I saw five Kinglets,
two in one place, three together in another. Near
the brook three Chickadees accompanied by a
Downy Woodpecker were flitting about among some
small pines. When I began whistling the phee bee
call two or three of the Chickadees answered at
once keeping it up for some time after I stopped.
By closing my eyes I could easily imagine it
early April instead of mid-November. What
strong associations are connected with sounds especially
with bird notes!
  GIlbert reports that six Chickadees spent the
entire forenoon at the cabin pecking at the
meat which we hung up for them nearly four
weeks ago but which they have not seemed
to care much for until lately. It was also
visited to-day (for the first time this autumn)
by a Downy Woodpecker.
  At about seven o'clock this evening we heard
a Flying Squirrel gallop rapidly over our roof. It
was painted with red paint late this afternoon!