Walter Deane (1848-1930) Papers; Journal, 1896-1899. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

122 1897 Apr. 19 — Cambridge, Mass. — our young friend, in the morning started her up from but a few feet of her nest. It is a very rare thing to find the nest of a Black Duck about here. The nest was on the top of a tussock but a few inches above and surrounded by water which was a foot deep. It was made of dried grasses, rushes &c and was lined with downy black feathers. It was 10 in. across on the outside and 6 1/2 across on the inside. It was 5 1/2 in. deep. The tussock was 2 ft. across and was a little longer than wide. It was sheltered by Spiraea salicifolia and Rosa [blank] both of which was abundant in the swamp. The was entirely surrounded by cat-tails which covered the whole swamp. There was a runway to the nest on one side quite clear of grass and bushes. Such was the spot. The eggs, 13 in number, completely filled the nest and were packed in rows. They were cold and the nest was apparently deserted, though 2 or 3 times we heard the quack of a duck near by — The eggs were all taken out and wrapped in cotton wool and the nest was put into a basket. While we were engaged in these proceedings we could hear the grunts of the Virginia Rail. (Rallus virginianus) and the call of the Carolina Rail (Porzana carolina) among the cat-tails near by. Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) were singing merrily. I saw two. We got back safely with our prize —

123 1897 Apr. 24 — Cambridge, Mass. — Apr. 21-23. 29 1/2 m. Total 518 1/2 m. A heavy grief has come upon us once more in the death of mother who passed away at quarter of six yesterday, Frid. afternoon, on my birthday. It will make a great blank in our lives.

Wed. the 21st, I wheeled up Concord Ave. with Edith Congdon & her sister and by the Glacialis we saw a good flock of White-bellied Swallows (Tachy cineta bicolor) circling over the water. A pair let on the telegraph wire and we had a good view of them. We visited the borders of Pout Pond Swamp back of the Slaughter House and saw what I feel sure were Rusty Blackbirds (Scolecophagous carolinus). They did not have the red of the Red-Wing, nor the color of the ♀ {female} Red Wing, being quite black, nor the size in boat tail of the Bronzed Grackle. Swamp Sparrows were singing gaily. Red Wings ♂ {male} were abundant with a few ♀ {female}. Blood roots are up & Hepatics on Willis garden. Nature has taken a great jump the past two days. man

— Apr. 26 — The funeral took place this morning. Friends sent many beautiful flowers. Mary bore up bravely.

— Apr. 28 — This morning I saw a beautiful Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpurens) in Will's garden. He was a bright red male —

Apr 29 — 13 m. Total 531 1/2 m. Wheeled this P.M. to Chas. R. back of Cambr. Cemetary. Saw 2 Kingfishers (Ceryle alcyon) flying about with their sharp rattling cries. Saw another one at Pout Pond Swamp. Trilliums, Anenomes, Antennaria, Viola sagittata all are up. Willows in full flower —

124 1897 Apr. 30 — Cambridge, Mass. — 22 m. Total 553 1/2 m. Spent the morning at the Gray Herb. working over the Club plants. This afternoon George & I wheeled up to Arlington Heights to see the birds. There was a singular lack of bird life every where. As I was walking in an old pasture on Marsh St. I heard a violent scratching just over a stone wall nearby. I immediately said to myself That's a Timba. I crept up to the wall, and sure enough a Towhee jumped up on to a stone and flew away. He immediately began uttering his characterstic call of two notes, which was answered by another bird. In the meadows between Waverly & the Payson place, the Meadow Larks were abundant and singing beautifully. I saw a number of them. Dr. Robinson called this evening and looked over my Cruciferae —

May 4 Mai 3 & 4 4 1/2 m. Total 558 m. Yesterday P.M. & to-day spent the whole morning at the Gray Herb. over the Club plants. I am getting the Herb. in shape. Yesterday A.M. spent in the Museum at Will's. I saw a lot of Seale's Cal. coast birds taken out of the boxes. I analyzed a Brandt's & a Baird's Cormorant, a Western Grebe and Clark's Grebe. A fine Raven's nest from Dear Isl. Me. was taken from the box and set up on the chest by the Whistling Swan. This P.M. I practised on the type-writer a good deal.

Before breakfast in W's garden I saw a Yellow Warbler in the Apple tree. He was singing merrily.

125 [overlay] — May 1 — 1897 — Synopsis of Mounting & Herbarkum Work from May 1896 to May 1897. I began to mount May 26 and ended Apr. 26. I worked 41 times as follows: — May, 1 time: June, 6 times : Oct. 1 time : Nov. 18 times : Dec. 2 times: Apr. 13 times.

Mounds of 50 sheets or more were — May 26, 65 : June 7, 76 : Nov. 5, 77 : Nov. 8, 71 : Nov. 15, 103 : Nov. 22, 162 : Nov. 25, 83 : Nov. 29, 60 : Apr. 26, 50. Total for the year — 1376 new sheets 181 sheets from Herb. on which new specimens were put. Total Mount — 1557 sheets.

During the year I have added to my Herb.

Besides all this work I have worked as Curator for the New Eng. Bot. Club and have mounted myself 673 sheets — This makes my actual mount for the year 2230 sheets.

I have received packages of plants from J.A. Allyen : E.P. Bickness : Biltmore Herbarium : E. Brainerd : J.R. Churchill : M.L. Fernald: N.M. Glatfelter : F.E. MacDonald : New Eng. Bot. Club : Mrs O.L. Owen : J.N. Rose : E.F. Williams —

These plants are in my herb. or among my duplicates. As I collected comparatively few plants for my herb. last year, the general number of plants received may be inferred from my mount. —————

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