and in the succeeding winter the river rose remarkably high. So much for the muskrat sign.
March 23, 1859. p. m. Walk to Cardinal Shore, and sail to Well Meadow and Lee's Cliff. As we entered Well Meadow we saw a hen-hawk perch on the topmost plume of the tall pines at the head of the meadow; soon another appeared, probably its mate, but we looked in vain for a nest there. It was a fine sight, their soaring above our heads, presenting a perfect outline and, as they came round, showing their rust-colored tails with a whitish rump, or, as they sailed away from us, that slight tetering or quivering motion of their dark-tipt wings, seen edgewise, now on this side, now on that, by which they balanced and directed themselves. These are the most eagle-like of our common hawks. They very commonly perch upon the very topmost plume of a pine, and, if motionless, are rather hard to distinguish there.
While reconnoitering we hear the peep of one hylodes somewhere in the sheltered recess in the woods, and afterward, on the Lee-side shore, a single croak from a wood frog.
We cross to Lee's shore and sit upon the bare rocky ridge overlooking the flood southwest and northeast. It is quite sunny and sufficiently warm. The prospect thence is a fine one, especially at this season when the water is high.
