61
Cambridge & Concord, Mass.
1898.
April 23
  Cloudy with fine rain.
  On the afternoon of the 17th I paddled up to
Concord and leaving the new canoe safely stored
in the barn at the Keyes place returned to Cambridge
where I spent the whole of the succeeding week
going back to Ball's Hill late this afternoon.
  On the old place at Cambridge from four to
six or eight Robins, a Hermit Thrush, a Chippy, a
Purple Finch and a Flicker were seen or heard every 
day. Bronzed Grackles were seen almost daily, also,
and Crows frequently. A White-throated Sparrow in
superb (really unusually so) plumage spent the 23rd in
the garden and a Blue Jay was screaming in our
lindens on the morning of that day. I also heard
a Goldfinch flying over. The Hermit sang softly this forenoon.
  While driving to the station at Arlington this
afternoon I saw two Black Ducks fly out of the
Maple Swamp. Lothrop tells me that a pair are nesting
there and another pair near Pout Pond.
  When I reached the cabin this evening a soft
rain was falling. Two White-throated Sparrows were
feeding in front of the door, a Kingfisher was
rattling in the river maples, Swamp Sparrows sang
in the button bushes, Robins in the oaks. 
The chorus of Hylas voices was simply ear-piercing.
Blood root in full bloom. Started a Partridge near
the east end of the hill & the same bird a second time
within 30 ft. of the cabin!