page [16] (seq. 18)

16
1901
June 1
(3)

We had a pleasant stroll back through the fields
An Oven–bird gave us a fine exhibition of his
flight song and a Hairy Woodpecker uttered his
rattling cry from a neighboring trunk. A Crested
Flycather at the Farm called several times
and a Marsh Hawk soared over low ground
by the river. Veeries were singing abundantly
and I saw a number of Black polls that
were singing and feeding in the trees.

The long rains have swelled the Concord
River to a most astonishing extent. The
meadows are at least four feet under
water for we measured that depth. The water
at this season is ordinarily about
three feet below the level of the meadows
so we have the water seven feet higher
than it generally is at this season. The
view is that of a vast inland sea and
even in the height of the spring floods
rarely does the water exceed the present
level. It is within about ten feet of the
lower cabin. The Bitterns, Carolina & Vir-
ginia Rails, & Marsh Wrens have not been
seen this spring. While but a few Redwings
and scarcely a Grackle have attempted to build.
Will saw a Redwing's nest built near the W. Bedford
landing, far from the usual sight, but the rising
water covered the nest.

I slept to–night in the upper cabin on
the hill side some 30 feet above the water
Will took the lower cabin