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

30 Trip to Concord, Mass. 1900 Apr. 22

Regulus canendula Cloudy, with drizzle in the afternoon. Mild. I took the 9.11 A.M. train for Concord. As I was walking down Sparks St., I saw and heard in the large Norway Spruce on Will's lawn, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. He was singing beautifully. This was my first experience. At Concord I took a team and went to the Manse and took Miss Simmons down to the cabin where we saw and had a conference with Will about Jaffrey & Williamstown. Jaffrey was decided upon for July & perhaps August. We then returned to the river for some time and took the 4.06 B.&M. train home. Observed the following birds in Concord. Dayobates p. medianus One one tree by the Manse. [flying] Colaptes a. luteus Saw two. Several hd. One clung by hole on tree in the Avenue by Manse and shouted a half hour. Corvus americanus Several Molothrus ater. Flock. 4 ♂♂, {males} 4 ♀♀ {females} running about feeding in field by the Manse. The males would stretch their head high and drop the wings Sturnella magna One [flying] near the Manse. Quiscalus q. aeneus several meadow near house. Scolecophagus carolinus One [flying] in tree by river behind Manse. Zenaidura macroura Zenaidura macroura A pair between cabin & Manse in the road. They rose from very near & flew on the wall to a plowed field close by. I followed and got near & had a fine view of them. Agelaius phoeniceus, large flocks low ground: Melospiza fasciata, numerous. Spizella socialis, two [flying] by Manse: Spizella pusilla, One [flying] near cabin. Sitta canadensis. One on tree by Manse: Merula migratoria, numerous Siala sialis, One on stake by road.

31 A Trip to Beaver Brook Reservation Waverly, Mass. 1900 Apr. 29

Clear, warm, light breeze, a perfect day — I took the electrics this morning to Waverly. By Fresh Pond, Barn Swallows, in a large flock, were circling about. As we passed down the slope beyond the Payson place, where a low meadow borders the road on both sides. I saw a Sparrow Hawk cross the road and then hover for several seconds above the field, his rufous back and tail showing out prominently.

Falco sparverius I walked over both the North & South Reservation. The brook has a good deal of water in it, and its Falls are very fine. The white Saxifrage and Potentilla simplex are up. I found in one place in the brook and bed of Chrysosplenium five feet across, in flower. The ash trees are just pushing out their stamens. I observed the following birds: — Falco sparverius ; Colaptes auratus lutens shunting (Reserv.) ; Sayornis phoebe 1 [flying] (Reserv.) ; Corvus americanus, 3 (Reserv.) ; Melospiza fasciata, 1 (Reserv.) ; Spizella socialis, abundant every where saw & heard a least 6 [flying] ; Hirundo erythrogaster, [flock] by Fresh Pond & several (Reserv.) ; Mniotilta varia, 3 [flying] (Reserv.) ; Dendroica coronata 1 [flying] (Reserv.) ; Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea, 1 (Reserv.) Parus atricapillus , 6 [flying] (Reserv.), and hd in the Garden.

Of Butterflies. Antiopa and pseudaigiolus were abundant. Of the latter I noticed the form lucia, but unfortunately I did not have my net. I returned to dinner.

32 Trip to Beaver Brook Reservation and Vicinity, Waverly, Mass. 1900 May 6

Cloudy and cool all day. I took the electrics to Waverly this morning, to study the birds and Butterflies which were so abundant there last Sunday, Apr. 29. I reached the Reservation a little after nine and first spent and hour in the northern portion wandering about, enjoying the views of the ponds and falls, and trees now bursting into leaf. Birds were scarce, while of Butterflies I saw not one during the entire morning. The chill in the air and the abscence of the sun was of course the cause. Saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis), & Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), were in flower on the rocky slopes, and the Five-finger (Colentilla canadensis) showed its yellow flowers over the fields. In the damp ground by the brook, Dogtooth Violet (Erythronium americanum) grew in dense beds with its yellow lilies well out.

The Crows were very noisy and were evidently skirmishing for mates. A flock of 8 or 10 were dashing about among the high trees, showing far more activity in their movements than I think I ever saw before, chasing each other, ducking and dodging among the branches with marvelous rapidity and paying but little attention to my mear presenece.

Acting in very much the same way, but

33 1900 May 6 (2)

with less public demonstration was a flock of dainty little black-capped Chickadees. They too dashed about in their small way, and I saw two, evidently males, fall to the grund in the grass together in a rough and tumble fight. This all comes from the over plus energy of the mating season. One of the Crows in its reckless plunge among the trees, broke off a dead branch some three feet long and an inch thick which came tumbling to the ground. The Chickadees were uttering constantly both kinds of notes. There is a melancholy sweetness to the soft phoebenote uttered in the stillness of the woods as I heard it in the upper Reservation near the pond. It is a soft hymn of praise, in keeping with the peaceful surroundings.

A Chewink called from a neighboring tone wall, a Red-eyed Vireo warbled his monotonous yet attractive song, and I was pleased to see a Hummingbird fly rapidly past me some 15 or 20 feet overhead and disappear over the brow of the hill —

Crossing over the Trapelo Road into the lower Reservation I followed the path along the top of the kame studded with the maginficent giant white oaks. South of the kame is a small pond by which stand a huge swamp oak (Quercus bicolor) a tree rivalling in size its neighbors the white oaks. I have long known of this tree and

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I wanted to see it again.

The noisy calling of Red-winged Blackbirds and Bronzed Grackles from a near marsh just outside the Reservation drew me to that spot and there I saw and heard an interesting lot of birds all in the space of a few minutes. A pair of Black Ducks rose from among the bushes in the water and circled several times so near me that I saw distinctly their bright red legs. They flew slowly and with perfect ease among the branches of the trees in the swamp, and soon dropped out of sight in some sheltered pool. I saw them twice again later. The Red-wings were a splendid plumage and when sailing from tree to tree or outspread wing, the scarlet flashing of ther epaulets was beautiful to see. When sitting with folded wings they conceal this brilliant color, showing mainly the duller yellow that borders the scarlet.

Black and White Creepers were darling about, clearing each other among the foliage, a Swamp Sparrow with red head, was skulcking among the bushes close to the water, a Chebee was busily catching flies, and Myrtle Warbler were darling about. All was life and animation which always comes with the opening spring. Flowers must bloom and ripen their seeds, and birds must mate and raise their young. Overhead Swifts and Barn Swallows were circling and chattering as the feed. It was pleasant to hear fro the first time from the bushes the familial song of the Marlyand-Yellowthroat.