September 26, 1858

Another smart frost, making dry walking amid the stiffened grass in the morning. The purple grass (Eragrostis pectinacea) done. Perhaps the first smart frost finished its purple.

I observe that the seeds of the Panicum sanguinale and filiforme are perhaps half fallen, evidently affected by the late frosts, as chestnuts, etc., will be by later ones; and now is the time, too, when flocks of sparrows begin to scour over the weedy fields, especially in the morning. Methinks they are attracted to some extent by this their harvest of panic seed. The spikes of P. Crus-galli also are partially bare. Evidently the small granivorous birds abound more after these seeds are ripe. The seeds of pigweed are yet apparently quite green. Maybe they are somewhat peculiar for hanging on all winter.