309
Concord, Mass.
1898.
November 27
  The sky clouded over early yesterday forenoon and
at evening, when I came home through the fields &
meadows behind Holden's Hill, there was a strong N.E.
wind and the air felt like snow. It began snowing
soon after dark and this morning when I arose the 
ground was covered to the depth of nearly a foot and
the air was still thick with the driving flakes. At
9 A.M. the sky brightened & the snow ceased falling
but a little later the storm began again with
redoubled energy. During the remainder of the day the
snow fell almost ceaselessly but at no time very thickly
but the wind blew a living gale from the N.E. 
lashing the trees about on the crest of Ball's Hill and
forming deep drifts in the open fields. Along the river
path the wind scarcely reached and the trees were
laden with light, dry snow the effect, especially
where thrown over pines and hemlocks, being very beautiful.
By nightfall the snow measured sixteen inches deep
all along this path. I have never known so heavy a
fall before at this season.
[margin]Heavy
Snow storm.[/margin]
  The Chickadees attacked the meat ravenously to-day.
In fact whenever I looked out I saw from two to five
or six flitting about it and helping themselves liberally
 by turns. Once I saw one attack & drive another away
from it, a rare instance, I fancy, for ordinarily the
Chickadee is one of the most unselfish and amiable
of all birds. Three Tree Sparrows and two Goldfinches
also came about the cabin and a solitary Robin came
to feed on some bitter sweet berries. Late in the afternoon
I walked to Bensen's landing & back starting a Partridge
very near the cabin.
[margin]Chickadees 
quarreling[/margin]