Heavy flight of woodcock
MASS. (Middlesex Co.) [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
1876
(Oct. 15 [October 15, 1876]) of spotless white and lighted up to the
fullest extent by the rosy light of the
sinking sun were resplendant [resplendent] with all
conceivable tints and colorings. Where
feathery pines were intermingled, the
contrast reached their climax and
not less beautiful where rocky hillsides,
the graceful outlines of the ledges showing
in strong bas-relief amid their framing
of russet scrub oaks and delicate
birch saplings. But the [delete]beauty of[/delete] light
soon faded from the west and as I
crossed the level open country to the
Eastward of the town the twilight
revealed a dull dreary aspect of snow
covered fields and muddy roads too
suggestive of chilly March winds to
be pleasant. Both horses were powdered
all over with the snow which shook
down upon their backs from the
over-arching frost laden trees that
well nigh closed the narrow road
through the Lincoln woods.
Monday
Oct. 16 [October 16, 1876] Clear and cold though the weather mod-
erated so much by noon that all the
snow disappeared. Started immediately
after breakfast with W. Buttrick [William Buttrick] &
drove down to "Halls" where I left 
my horse. In Hall's proper we
hunted about 3 hours & put up
seven woodcock of which B. [William Buttrick] killed
two. I fired three shots & bagged not
a feather. After leaving B. however I