Thoreau writes in his journal:
There is a large specimen of what I take to be the common alder by the poplar at Egg Rock . . . Saw about 10 A.M. a gaggle of geese, forty-three in number, in a very perfect harrow flying northeasterly . . . At first I heard faintly, as I stood by Minott’s gate, borne to me from the southwest through the confused sounds of the village, the indistinct honking of geese. I was somewhat surprised to find that Mr. Loring at his house should have heard and seen the same flock . . . Goodwin was six geese in Walden about eh same time . . .
P.M.—Up Assabet to stone-heaps, in boat . . . Went forth just after sunset. A storm gathering, an April-like storm. I hear now in the dusk only the song sparrow along the fences and a few hylas at a distance. And now the rattling drops compel me to return.
