261
Concord, Mass.
1898.
October 3
  Clear and warm with fresh W. wind - a rich,
mellow October day.
  Song Sparrows again singing freely about the
house this morning and I heard one at about 9 A.M.
along the river chanting at short intervals precisely
as in spring.
 I spent the day at Ball's Hill sailing down
in the morning and paddling back in the late
afternoon. The river was all over the meadows most
of the summer but it is well within its banks
now. Very little grass has been cut and the
meadows and river banks are even more shaggy
than they were last autumn. Pat tells me that
Snipes have been plentiful and that a flock
of 10 or 12 Teal spent a week or more on
Great Meadow last month. I saw a solitary
Blue-winged Teal this morning just below Ball's
Hill. It came flying past me and alighted well
out in the river starting off again when I came
within about 100 yards. Titlarks and Rusty Grackles
were numerous all along the river and the tall
grass was simply swarming with Song & Swamp
Sparrows. At Ball's Hill I saw two White-throats
and heard a Cat-bird. I also started a Partridge.
I had so much to do about the cabin that I
took only one short walk.
 The tupelos and red maples are near the height
of their autumnal glory but the upland woods
show little color as yet.
 A Pine Warbler was in full song on Ball's H. at 10 A.M. &
2 P.M.
[margin]Pine Warbler
in full song[/margin]