Concord, Mass.
1910
May 17
[May 17, 1910]

  Clear and warm with southerly winds. Hoar frost in early morning.
Two Red-eyed vireos (in song) were the only arrivals noted. There
should have been a good bird wave with this warm one.

Gray Squirrel swims across Concord River

  As Gilbert and I were at breakfast this morning (about 7.30) we
saw what we took at first to be a Musk rat swimming across the
river. When it first attracted our attention it was out two or three 
rods from the Bedford Shore opposite the mouth of our boat canal.
It came directly towards the cabin swimming very fast with its
head held high. As it approached nearer we caught sight of a
broad fluffy tail held a little above the surface and by this recognised
that the creature was a Gray Squirrel. It landed near our canoe
pit. As it emerged from the water its legs, feet, belly & the tip of
its tail were soaking wet but its head, back, sides & most of the tail
looked perfectly dry. For a minute or more after reaching firm
ground it remained in one spot lifting up its feet, one after another,
& then stamping them down as if they were chilled. Finally it took
to the trees & disappeared. It was a rather small "Gray". Although its
general course across the river was straight I noticed that it kept zig-zagging
a little by [?] alternately to right & left. I have never seen a Gray Squirrel
take to the water before.