348
Concord, Mass.
1897.
Nov. 23
  About four inches of snow fell last night. Although
light and dry it clung to every twig and even to the
slenderest stalks of grass probably because there was no
wind whatever. The sun rose clear this morning and for
about an hour afterwards the woods were as beautiful 
as I have ever seen them under similar conditions.
Then a strong south wind started and in less than
half-an-hour all except the more sheltered clusters of
trees had resumed their normal winter aspect. Many
trees were freed from their burden by a single strong
gust which drove the snow off over the fields &
meadows in white wreaths like steam or very white
smoke.
  The south side of Ball's Hill was almost wholly bare
by evening but elsewhere the snow melted but little
the rays of the sun appearing to have but little effect
as opposed to the strong cold wind.
  I went twice to Davis's Hill to-day. Birds were
very scarce. I saw only a Robin, a Creeper, a flock
of eight Chickadees, one of five Tree Sparrows, a Downy,
and two or three Crows. The Robin started from beneath
a ground juniper on the berries of which it was
no doubt feeding.
  Although it must have stopped snowing before daybreak
there were almost no tracks in the woods this morning.
The Rabbit that lives near the cabin had been
abroad, however, & that before the storm ceased for
his footprints were partially filled in with fine snow.
They are evidently great runners & travel freely &
for rather long distance over the ground following my
foot paths a great deal.