65

65
Concord, Mass.
1903
Aug. 23
Clear, rather warm in the sun. Beautiful day

Will Brewster, Sam Henshaw & I took the
electrics to West Bedford this morning (Sunday)
reaching there about 10. Gilbert was with us. We
walked to the boat landing, and just after crossing
the track, Gilbert & I see a Carolina Dove flying
swiftly over our heads. We crossed the river in the
boat. Whirligig-bugs ( blank ) were numerous and
I captured some in my butterfly net and got one alive
to Cambridge and put him into Will’s pond. It is
a true beetle and has eyes above and eyes below, so that
it sees under water & above water. His one pair of eyes
divided. After landing we strolled about before dinner.
We saw Pickerel, Leopard, Green, & Wood Frogs and
captured a Salamander (Plethodon erythronotus) which
we examined and released. We found under a log a lot
[Bombardier Beetles]
of Bombardier Beetles (Brachinus sp.). Won-
derful creatures. On being discovered they speedily ran
in all directions shooting off, with a squeaking sound,
their fluid from a sac behind. This immediately
changes into a gas, and looks like a puff of
smoke as it shoots out into a report. This is
protection against an enemy. We captured several.

We dined in the old Cabin and were joined
by Mr. Forbush who is taking charge on the place this
summer. Then we walked to the Barrett
Farm through the woods & fields. We heard and
saw a Green Heron in the A.M. & heard a Red-Shouldered
Hawk.
This P.M. a Marsh Hawk fly by. We examined the Ritchie
Farm recently bought and drove to the Fitchburg Station taking
the 5.24 train home leaving W.B. behind. Successful day.