Concord, Mass.
1901.
March 18.
  Forenoon brilliantly clear; afternoon hazy. Strong W. wind.
  Took 8.34 train to Concord with Gilbert. Launched 
the dory and crossed the river picking our way through
fields of ice. The water low for this season but all over
the meadows of course. On the way down from
West Bedford Station heard several Blue birds & a
Song Sparrow singing. A Herring Gull was circling over
the river opposite Ball's Hill and there were several
small parties of Crows stalking about on the snow-covered
ice. No birds at the cabin but two Song sparrows and
three Tree Sparrows in the brush along the edge of
the flooded meadow at E. end of Ball's Hill.
  I was engaged with the men most of the day but
later in the afternoon I walked up through the fields
to Pine Ridge and thence to Davis's Hill. The sun
low in the west sent shafts of mellow light athwart
the fields. Robins were calling and Bluebirds singing. A
Rusty Blackbird passed high overhead. In the flooded
thickets on Holden's Meadow at least the Red-wings
were singing. It was the first time that I have heard
their quirk-er-ee this spring.
  I started four Partridges about the edges of the opening
E. of Pine Ridge & saw several Blue Jays among dense
young pines. A Red shouldered Hawk pursued by
several Crows passed over Ball's Hill this forenoon.
There were no Ducks and Pat tells me that he has neither
seen nor heard of any this spring although he has been
much about the river and has asked the gunners.
  The river was alive with musk rat hunters all day but
I heard few shots & Pat says the "Rats" are very scarce.
17.