303
Concord, Mass.
1898.
November 11
  A heavy north-eastern yesterday with strong wind
& torrents of rain. Both wind & rain ceased during
the night and early this morning the sun was shining
dimly through thin clouds. At about 9 A.M. the
clouds dissolved and the sun came out brightly.
A strong N.W. wind arose at about the same
time and the remainder of the day was mild
and blasting with a brilliant but cold sunset.
  I saw nothing of any interest yesterday although
I went to the Barrett farm through the woods
as usual. This afternoon just as I was
landing at Birch Island a flock of about
40 Canada Geese passed high overhead coming
from the N.S. and following the river as far
as Ball's Hill where, [delete]as[/delete] is their almost 
invariable custom in autumn, they turned
abruptly westward.
  A few minutes later a flock of just sixty
Crows came in the track of the Geese but
at a much lower elevation. They crossed the
river at nearly right angles and went off
directly over the Barrett far. They were
about actively migrating. 
  Before the wind rose this morning I saw or heard
a number of small birds, among others a flock
of about fifteen Goldfinches feeding in alders
near the river. I think I saw a Shrike also.