28
Concord, Mass.
1888. 
March 23
  Cloudy with strong wind S. W. in the early morning, N. W.
to N. later in the day.
  To Ball's Head at 9 a.m. sailing down. Heard two
Meadow Larks near the Keyes' and a third just
below Flint's Bridge. The Phoebe was singing at north
Bridge and I heard another near Hutchin's [sic] boathouse
where I saw an immature Red-shouldered Hawk
perched on a branch over the river.
  Spent the day in the woods on and behind 
Ball's Hill making paths. Saw but very few birds - 
Song Sparrows, Chickadees, Crows, a Kinglet etc.
Two Fox Sparrows and a pair of Downy Woodpeckers
came to the food at the cabin. Near the crest 
of Ball's Hill I came upon two Garter Snakes
which seemed to be pairing but I distracted them and
they glided into a hole beneath a stump. Also saw
a Rabbit which which permitted us to approach within
three or four yards. Wood Frogs croaking all the
afternoon in one of the small ponds.
  A pair of Red-shouldered Hawks (doubtless the
birds seen yesterday) were screaming all the forenoon
about Holden's Hill and in the afternoon I 
saw them circling over Davis' Hill still keeping
up their wild music - for music it is to my ears.
  At about 6.30 p.m. a Great Howard Owl hooted
a dozen times or more in the direction of Holden's 
Hill.