16
Concord, Mass.
1898
March 18
  A brilliantly clear day with fresh W. wind which
died away an hour or more before sunset.
  I was out a little after sunrise this morning and
took a turn over Ball's Hill and along the river path.
The ground was frozen hard and the air was sharp
and bracing. Song Sparrows and Red-wings were
singing in every direction, a Flicker was shouting
and a Downy Woodpecker drumming on the Bedford
shore, Crows were cawing and clucking, every now and
then a Bluebird warbled in the distance and once
a Cow-bird flew overhead giving the long spring whistles.
But I listened in vain for drumming Partridges,
cooing Doves or the songs of Tree and Fox Sparrows.
Altogether the early morning singing was disappointing.
  As we were eating breakfast a very large Red Squirrel
visited the meat bone hanging in the oak by the 
cabin door and helped himself liberally. A few
minutes after he had gone another and smaller
one, doubtless his mate, appeared and took his turn 
at the bone.
  After breakfast I launched the canoe and paddled
down river hugging the wooded western shore to
keep out of the wind as well as for the pleasure
of exploring all the pretty little coves and channels
which the present high stage of water makes so
accessible and attractive.
  At the eastern end of Ball's Hill I saw a large
Gray Squirrel feasting on the buds of a maple tree