
          1104

Acer platynoides[platanoides] is now in bloom.

547
April 29, 1904.  During the entire week there has been more or less
of rain.  Yesterday the trip with Section A. had to be postponed.
To-day, as it was only cloudy, a few of Section B ventured to
take the trip.  We met at Shirley Lane and took the well-known
trip to Hampden.  Notwithstanding the rain, the roads
were not very muddy and the path in the woods were fine.  We might
have spent the afternoon profitably in the study of birds,
so many of them being seen and heard.  The sweet song of
the meadow-lark attracted our attention -- how sweet it
sounded!  possibly it was the condition of the atmosphere that
helped to strengthen the melodious notes.  One beautiful
orange & black bird was seen.  It was not much larger that[than]
an English sparrow and it was very active flitting from twig
to twig incessantly.  We thought at first it was an oriole,
but later felt sure it was not.  But we were not out to
study birds but the flowers.  To-day we added the Meadow
rose, & the Early Crowfoot were added to our list of plants.
Just as we neared Hampden it began to rain, but none of us
seemed to mind it.  Returned home at 7.30 P.M.
        