6 November 1854 – 12 November 1854

Surveying on Colburn place. Tt is suddenly cold. Pools frozen so as to bear, and ground frozen so that it is difficult, if not impossible, to force down a stake in plowed ground. Was that a fish hawk I saw flying over the Assabet, or a goshawk ? White beneath, with slender wings.

I ean still rake clams near the shore, but they are chiefly in the weeds, I think. I see a snipe- like bird by riverside this windy afternoon, which goes off with a sound like creaking tackle.

P. M. — Sail to Ball’s Hill with W. E. C. See where the muskrats have eaten much ponte- deria root. Got some donacia grubs for Harris, but find no chrysalids. The sight of the masses of yellow hastate leaves and flower-buds of the yellow lily, al- ready four or six inches long, at the bottom of the river, reminds me that nature is prepared for an infinity of springs yet.

Minott heard geese go over night before last, about 8 p. mM. Therien, too, heard them “yelling like anything” over Walden, where he is cutting, the same evening. He cut down a tree with a flying squirrel on it; often sees them. Receive this evening a letter in French and three “ouvrages” from the Abbé Rougette in Louisiana.