15 November 1852 – 21 November 1852

9 a. M.—Sail up river to Lee’s Bridge. Colder weather and very windy, but still no snow. A very little ice along the edges of the river, which does not all melt before night. Muskrat-houses com- pleted. Interesting objects looking down a river-reach at this season, and our river should not be represented without one or two of these cones. They are quite con- spicuous half a mile distant, and are of too much im- portance to be omitted in the river landscape. [I still see the drowned white lily pads showing their red sides. On the meadow side the water is very much soiled by the dashing of the waves. I see one duck. The pines on shore look very cold, reflecting a silvery light. The waves run high, with white caps, and com- municate a pleasant motion to the boat. At Lee’s Cliff the Cerastium viscosum. We sailed up Well Meadow Brook. The water is singularly grayey, clear and cold. The bottom of the brook showing great nuphar roots, like its ribs, with some budding leaves. Returning, landed at Holden’s Spruce Swamp. The water is frozen in the pitcher-plant leaf. The swamp-pink and blue- berry buds attract.

Measured a stick of round timber, prob- ably white pine, on the cars this afternoon, — ninety- five feet long, nine and ten twelfths in circumference at butt, and six and two twelfths in circumference at small end, quite straight. From Vermont. Yarrow and tansy still. These are cold, gray days.

I was surprised this afternoon to find the river skimmed over in some places, and Fair Haven Pond one-third frozen or skimmed over, though com- monly there is scarcely any ice to be observed along the shores. The commonest bird I see and hear now- adays is that little red crowned or fronted bird I de- scribed the 13th. I hear now more music from them. They have a mewing note which reminds me of a canary-bird. They make very good forerunners of winter. Is it not the ruby-crowned wren ?!