Gooseanders 
Evening: on 
the river 
Painted 
Tortoises 
Muskrats 
Barrett Farm 
Birds i singing 
at sunset 
[l do not think I have seen so many there for the past 
twenty years. Richardson tells me that he came upon a flock 
of over fifty Gooseanders this morning below Carlisle 
Bridge. I must have seen fully fifty Whifetlers passing 
Ball's Hill. If only the gunners would leave the Ducks 
and Muskrats alone 7j 
It was nearly 5 o*clock when I left the cabin and 
started up river. The wind had died away and the sun 
reflected from the calm water was uncomfortably warm. 
Great numbers of Painted Tortoises were out on floating 
boards from which they tumbled into the water as I approached. 
I fear the gunners have destroyed most of the Muskrats for 
not one have I seen yet. 
Landing at Dakin*s Hill I went to the Barrett farm. 
It was so warm in the woods that I had to take off my 
coat and carry it on my arm. I saw several Song Sparrows 
along the stone walls. Just after I reached the Barrett 
house, the sun came out from behind a cloud and a Robin, 
a Bluebird, a Flicker and a Pine Warbler began singing- 
in the old elms. Ten minutes later a violent north-west 
wind arose and chilled me through and through. I had a 
hard paddle up river against wind and current and sa® 
nothing of interest except five White-bellied Swallows flying 
about together among some stubs. Robins were singing every¬ 
where this evening for the first time, despite the gloomy 
skies and the strong cold wind. It was good to hear them. 
