Thoreau writes in his journal:
Surveying for John Le Grosse. He says that he saw blackbirds about a week ago. He says that the most snow we have had this winter (it has not been more than one inch deep) has been only a “robin snow,” as it is called, i.e. a snow which does not drive off the robins . . . J. says they have both red and white huckleberries near his house. Described an “old fort,” about the size and shape of a cellar, which he saw in 1816 perhaps across the river near Heywood’s sawmill. This man is continually drinking cider; thinks it corrects some mistake in him; wishes he had a barrel of it in the woods; if he had known he was to be out so long would have brought a jugful; will dun Captain Hutchinson for a drink on his way home. This, or rum, runs in his head, if not in his throat, all the time. Is interested in juniper berries, gooseberries, currants, etc., whether they will make wine; has recipes for this. Eats the juniper berries raw as he walks. Tobacco is another staff of life with him. Thinks, with others, that he has metals on his farm which the divining-rod might find, but is convertible on this point.
Thoreau writes in his journal on 15 January:
Saw near Le Grosse’s, the 12th, a shrike. He told me about seeing Uncle Charles [Dunbar] once, come to Barrett’s mill with logs, leap over the yoke that drew them and back again. It amused the boys.
