March May 1874 almost exactly as I left it. No long stood (except a few lilacs in sheltered place) the grass only just starting, but altogether the aspect of about the 15 April. Under then conditions the arrival of the birds promises this year an unusual interest & as I have always maintained, with a certain reasonable margin they go more by date than season. Thus I found Peturs better off in abundance; P. never knew him here before until the cherry trees were in bloom but as yet not one has shown a blossom. I also hear from my window Vireo gilvus, dend. aestiva & Swg. cedro, May 12 Clear & warmer than yesterday. The at noon perhaps 65°. Our thrush arrived to day & we unpacked our birds in rather a demoralized condition. I. aestiva is building in the same honeysuckle bush occupied by old pair (arguably the same) last year & is constant quarreling with a Spz. socialis with one pure white tail feather which I distinctly remember as a companion of my last Spring confinement & solitude, Stop. Solier is still very painful, the boil growing steadily larger.