True summer.

June 16.

June 16, 2020

At 2 P.M. 85°, and about same for several days past. 

I have heard no hylodes since the 12th, and no purring frogs (Rana palusiris). Think they ceased about the same time, or with the 85° heat. 

Thunder-showers show themselves about 2 P.M. in the west, but split at sight of Concord and go east on each side, we getting only a slight shower. 

Channing found a marsh hawk's nest on the Great Meadows this afternoon, with three eggs considerably developed. The meadows full of lightning-bugs to-night; first seen the 14th.

It appears to me that these phenomena occur simultaneously, say June 12th, viz.: -

• Heat about. 85° at 2 P.M.

• Hylodes cease to peep.

• Purring frogs (Rana palustris) cease.

• Lightning-bugs first seen.

• Bullfrogs trump generally.

• Mosquitoes begin to be really troublesome.

• Afternoon thunder-showers almost regular.

• Sleep with open window.

• Turtles fairly and generally begun to lay.

H.D. Thoreau, Journal, June 16, 1860

These phenomena occur simultaneously . . . See June 1, 1853 ("The birds have now all come and no longer fly in flocks. The hylodes are no longer heard. The bullfrogs begin to trump.... It is now the season of growth.”); June 15, 1860 ("The bullfrogs now commonly trump at night, and the mosquitoes are now really troublesome. For some time I have not heard toads by day, and the hylodes appear to have done. A thunder-shower in the north goes down the Merrimack.”); June 16, 1858 (“I see a yellow-spotted turtle digging its hole at midafternoon, ”); June 16, 1855 (“A painted tortoise just burying three flesh-colored eggs in the dry, sandy plain near the thrasher’s nest. It leaves no trace on the surface. Find near by four more about this business”)

Thunder-showers show themselves about 2 P.M. in the west, but split at sight of Concord and go east on each side. . . See June 16, 1854 ("Three days in succession, — the 13th, 14th, and 15th, — thunder-clouds, with thunder and lightning, have risen high in the east, threatening instant rain, and yet each time it has failed to reach us.”)