59
Concord, Mas.
1898.
April 14
  Cloudy with S.E. wind and fine rain in the afternoon
changing to heavy rain during the night.
  Another day spent transplanting trees, working between
Davis's and Ball's Hill. Small birds continue very scarce
with no new arrivals. A flock of 22 White-bellied
Swallows flying past the cabin in the afternoon.
At evening a pair of Black Ducks passed over the
top of Ball's Hill and a number of Snipe (at
least three & I think more) were drumming over the
flooded meadows for twenty minutes or more.
  Mr. & Mrs. Frank M. Chapman arrived at 7.15
P.M. and we sat up late talking.
" [April] 15
  A real old-fashioned North-easter lasting all
day and with no signs of ceasing as I am writing
this (at P.M.). Heavy rain driving before a gusty,
violent & bitterly chilly wind silencing the birds
and blotting out the distant landscape.
  The Chapmans spent the forenoon in the cabin
and departed at 2 P.M. After they had gone
I took a long walk in the woods - to Birch Island
and beyond. Saw almost no birds but had a feast
of beauty in the mosses and lichens on stones & old
stumps. Such exquisite greens, grays, and gray greens!
  Six Herring Gulls & a flock of eight Black Ducks
passed the cabin in the early forenoon. Two
Chickadees, a Pine Warbler, a Robin, two Downies,
and two Song Sparrows the only small birds seen
near the cabin.