Page:Summer - from the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.djvu/231

Rh looking round again, after I had gone by, I saw my scarecrow walking off with a real live man in it.

I was just roused from my writing by the engine s whistle, and, looking out, saw shooting through the town two enormous pine sticks, stripped of their bark, just from the northwest, and going to Portsmouth Navy Yard, they say. Not a tree grows now in Concord to compare with them. They suggest what a country we have to back us up that way. A hundred years ago or more perchance the wind wafted a little winged seed out of its cone to some favorable spot, and this is the result. In ten minutes they were through the township, and perhaps not half a dozen Concord eyes rested on them during their transit.

June 23, 1854. Disturbed three different broods of partridges in my walk this in different places. In one, they were as big as chickens ten days old, and went flying in various directions a rod or two into the hillside.

In another, the young were two and a half inches long only, not long hatched, making a fine peep. Held one in my hand, where it squatted without winking. Thus we are now in the very midst of them. The young broods are being led forth. The old bird will return mewing, and walk past within ten feet.