340
Concord, Mass.
1897. 
Nov. 20 
(No 2)     
  Gray Squirrels, perhaps half-a-dozen mice, and
a Partridge. Actually I did not meet with a
single Fox or Rabbit track! It is possible (but highly
improbable) that there are no Foxes in my woods
this autumn but I know that Rabbits are numerous
enough. Only three days ago I saw one of them rather
within twenty yards of the cabin. Probably neither
animal cared to venture out in the storm last
night. I have noticed before that Rabbit tracks are
not often to be seen just after a November snow fall.
I will venture to predict that the snow will be
everywhere covered with them by to-morrow or the 
day after.
  Of small birds I saw about the usual numbers 
of Chickadees, Kinglets & Tree Sparrows, one Downy, and 
a flock of eight Robins. The last were fluttering about
in a belt of brushes on the edge of Holdens' meadow.
Most if not all of them are males. I think
they came down from the north later in the afternoon
for they were not there cabin in the day (I saw
them at about 4 P. M.)
  But most interesting of all was the flight of
water-fowl. Twice daring the day I was thrilled
by the honking of Geese. On the first occasion - at 
about 8 A.M. - the flock, containing 22 birds,
passed nearly one sun at a great height. The air
was thick with falling trees at the time & I was
interested to see that the noble birds now slightly
confused by the obliteration of their usual landmarks