Concord, Mass.
1911.
April 9
[April 9, 1911]

April snow storm.

  Snow began falling soon after nightfall last evening. At
daybreak this morning it covered the ground to a depth of 5
inches and loaded the branches of the trees. It continued to
fall fitfully through the forenoon. The afternoon was sunny &
rather mild but the ground continued snow-covered except on
sheltered banks facing the south. My foreman, James, drove to 
Concord village in a sleigh this afternoon.

Floods of birds
Over 100 birds at our seed bed

  Yesterday there were comparatively few birds about. To-day
the whole country was flooded with them. I believe that very many
which had passed further south returned during last night as sometimes
happens when there is a sudden change to winter conditions at
this season. The number at our seed bed increased steadily through
the forenoon. At breakfast time there were not more than 40 all
told. About noon I counted 74 Fox Sparrows & over 30 Juncos
on the ground at once. With those in neighboring trees there must
have been over 80 Fox Sparrows and 40 Juncos. There were also
at least 5 Robins and 4 or 5 Song Sparrows, a [male] Bluebird, and a 
[male] Downy, [male] Nuthatch & 2 Chickadees at the suet. A Savanna 
Sparrow rambled about the edge of the seed bed but seemed
afraid to enter it. We put a lot of seed in the open fronted
wood shed which for a time was alive with birds. The
Robins, Fox sparrows, Juncos & Song sparrows entered it freely &
all these Sparrows also went in under the tool shed. There
was practically continuous singing on the part of Fox sparrows
& Juncos from day break to evening twilight - a veritable feast
of delightful music. The Fox Sparrows sang freely on the
ground. They scratched incessantly until it looked as if pigs
had been rooting there. Also they fought incessantly chasing
one another & rising bill to bill into the air. The Song
Sparrows scratched a little the Juncos not at all. The 
Robins sought for angle worms & got a few. It was a
most animated & interesting scene & I watched it all afternoon.