Walter Deane (1848-1930) Papers; Journal Jan-June 1900. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

25 Cambridge, Mass. 1900 Apr. 15

The weather has been chilly & cold for the past two or three weeks in spite of the bright sun that has generally shone. The grass is growing green, hepatics have been up for two weeks and the catkin-bearing trees are beginning to lengthen out the ♂ {male} spikes. To-day has been a glorious Easter Sunday, air clear as crystal, cool but without the chill that has prevailed thus far, through a light overcoat has been comfortable.

First Spring Butterfly On April 4th I saw my first spring Butterfly Vanessa antiopa or as Mr. {Samuel Hubbard} Scudder calls it Euvanessa antiopa. To school myself in the place that butterflies hold, I will say that this Mourning Cloak belongs to the order Nymphalidae the member of which have only four legs adapted for walking. I saw another one of the same species on the 5th and I have seen several yesterday the 14th & to-day, the 15th. I also saw to-day in the garden (William Brewster's) an American Copper, Heodes hypophlaeas belonging to the Lycaenidae with six legs adapted for walking and mostly small butterflies.

The spring birds are coming. I keep a record of all see, at the Museum.

This afternoon James Greenough & I went over to Longwood to see the Dexter place that he has rented for recreation grounds for his school boys. It is a fine large place near Cottage Farm Station. A flock of Bronzed Grackles were flying about in the oaks.

26 A Trip to Williamstown, Mass. 1900 Apr. 19-20

With a view to looking up a place for the summer from July to Aug. or later, for the Brewsters & ourselves, I went to Williamston, Mass. yesterday the 19th with Mr. & Mrs. L. R. Churchill. We took the 11 A.M. train on the Fitchburg from the Union Station in Boston, and had a delightful ride till 3.17 P.M. Following up the valley of the Nashua River beyond Fitchburg we crossed the divide and glided down the border of the Miller River to the Connecticut. Miller River was a rushing torrent, dashing through rocky walls and open stretches. Snow & ice still lay under the trees in places on the higher land. From Greenfield we coursed up the valley of the Deerfield River another beautiful stream, a raging torrent at this season. As we approached Hoosac Mt. the hills were even higher and they presented a grand appearance with their bold rocks showing through the leafless trees. Nearing the great wall of the Mountains we crossed the Deerfield River which here comes down from the North through a magnificent gorge, and immediately we plunged into the famous Hoosac Tunnel, and are 7 1/2 minutes going through at full speed. Emerging into the bright sun light on the western side we soon reached {North} Adams and in a few more minutes drew up at Williamstown. We were going to the cottage of Dr. Lloyd who has a most attractive Hotel, not open till June, on a slope, a mile from the station. Mr. Churchill has been here several times before. We were met by a carriage and pair, and a driver and Anna Churchill who had gone up a few days before,

27 A Trip to Williamstown, Mass. 1900 April 19-20 (No. 2)

and driven to Dr. Lloyd's cottage. It is a most comfortable and cozy building where the Doctor & Mrs. Lloyd live, moving into the big house when the boarders come. It is a fine situation above the town and overlooking the high hills in every direction. Graylock rises to the south, with the deep gorge called the "Hopper" cutting into its side. Long ranges extend to the east and west, while to the north, a slope rises directly back of the house, crowned by a birch wood on the summit. For a couple of hours before supper we strolled up the hill, and through some woods along Broad Brook, a beautiful stream, now a small torrent, that runs near the house and empties into the Hoosic River, which rises on Graylock and the neighboring hills and empties into the Hudson, flowing through Williamstown on its way. Vegetation is still dormant. Catkins were out of Populus tremuloides & grandidentata and of the Celosia and Hazelnut. We picked Mayflowers on the way and I found in one place the hill slope literally covered with Equisetum hyemale I never saw it so abundant before. Of birds I saw on the walk Robins, Crows, two Song Sparrows and six Phoebes.

On the ride up from Boston I saw nothing but Crows at intervals, a flock of six being hte largest, and a Phoebe by the Connecticut River. The evening was spent in conversation with Dr. & Mrs. Lloyd, and listening to a Graphaphone.

28 A Trip to Williamstown, Mass. 1900 Apr. 19-20 (No. 3)

This morning, the 20th, Dr. Lloyd, who is a most hospitable and interesting man, took me all over the hotel and showed me all the rooms. I was very much pleased with everything. Though the place is called a Sanitarium and there are covered bathes near the cottages where visitors avail themselves of the benefits derived from the water. I am full assured both by Dr. Lloyd and Mr. Churchill that the element of sickness is entirely absent. Dr. Lloyd is busy practicing all day and for two hours in the evening.

Then Mr. C., Anna & I took a walk over the fields to the Hoosic River and the meadows bordering it. It is all very beautiful. "Chris", a magnificaent Saint Bernard dof of the Doctor's followed us everywhere. We crossed a swinging chain bridge over the Hoosic River and Anna photographed us.

I noted the following trees, leafless except the Coniferae, Acer saccharinus {saccharinum} & rubra, Tilia americana, Platanus occidentalis, Ulmus americana, Juglans cinerea Betula lenta, (large ones by the river), lutea, paparifera {papyrifera}, populifolia, Populus tremuloides, grandidentata monolifera {monilifera}, Pinus strobus, rigida Tsuga canadensis. I was pleased to see the Cotton-wood which was abundant. The ♂ {male} flower buds were swelling and just disclosing the tips of the anthers. We took some specimens.

We returned at noon and after lunch, I bade all good bye, Mr. Churchill and family remaining till Monday the 23d. Dr. Lloyd had the pair put into the carriage and I was taken a

29 A Trip to Williamstown, Mass 1900 Apr. 19-20 (No. 4)

most interesting drive through Williamstown and shown the principal residences, the College buildings and places of interest. Mr. C. and Anna went with me. I was left at the Station in time for the 2.58 P.M. home.

I noted the following birds during the day: — Ceryle alcyon. one flying, rattling over the Hoosie River. Sayornis phoebe. astonishingly abundant. I saw as many as twelve. They were singing hard. Corvus americanus. a number. Melospiza fasciata. about five. in full song. Spizella monticola. In the meadow by the river. I got very close to a Tree Sparrow sitting on a branch a few feet from the ground. He was in full song and we listened to him for at least ten minutes. Anna photographed him. His smooth buff breast with the dark spot in the centre wer plainly visible. Another bird was anwering him by the river. Junco hyemalis, a pair by the road, and also Tachycineta bicolor, one in the meadow. Robins, abundant.

In a wet spot by the road Tussilago was in full flower.

I put into press when I got home some Populus monilifera & Betula laeta, unopened catkins.

I reached Cambridge after a pleasant drive at 7.20. Saw Crows only, one flock of eight. Got home at 7.40 P.M.