187
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
1898
Aug. 18  
  Clear and sultry. Ther. [thermometer] 82 [degrees] at noon.
  I returned to Cambridge yesterday afternoon to
prepare for my annual trip to Umbagog. At sunrise
this morning I heard a Redstart, a Yellow-throated vireo,
and a Baltimore Oriole sing a few times in loud, clear
tones. Red-eyed vireos were in full song for
half an hour or more. I was greatly surprised to
hear so many near the house. Later in the day a
Goldfinch sang at intervals.
  The summer has been hot and wet and vegetation
has made a rank growth in the old garden.
Humming birds are numerous about the flowerbeds
and I hear a Water Thrush chirping in the
jungle. There were also two or three robins and
A Bronzed Grackle this forenoon. The House sparrows
appear to be rather less numerous than usual.
  Last summer the garden was infested by House Mice.
A large Norway Rat is living there now. However it 
appears that the cat-proof fence is not without 
its drawbacks. Not a single cat has been seen in 
the garden this season.
  At sunset several swifts were flying over
the garden and later I heard the quawk of
a Night Heron following the old-time path
to the Charles River marshes which the steam
dredges are now fast destroying.