P.M.—To Island and Hill.

  A willow coming out fairly, with honey-bees humming on it, in a warm nook,—the most forward I have noticed, for the cold weather has held there in check. And now different kinds of bees and flies about them. What a sunny sight and summer sound! A striped snake on a warm, sunny bank. The painted tortoises are fairly out sunning to-day. A very pleasant and warm afternoon; the earth seems to be waking up . . .

  4 P.M.—To Moore’s Swamp . . .

  At starlight by riverside a few faint stertorous sounds from the. awakening meadow, and one or two faint bullfrogish notes,—er-er-er. The sound of the snipes, winnowing; the evening air now at starlight, visible but for an instant high over the meadows, is heard far into the village . . .