51 UPTON, MAINE 1873 August 31.- September 2. fire and put me out. On the way back B. drove out another flock of mergansers from the upper pond and I made a good double shot, dropping both birds, but loosing one wing tipped in the high grass. I also shot a Falco columbarius and B. a bittern. In P.M. we paddled down to the mouth again and sailed from there, close hauled up to the narrows where we lay for ducks until the steamer came along without getting a shot. The swal- lows are all, or nearly all, gone. The marsh west of the house is now filled with a chirping lisping throng of sparrows, P.sav- anna being largely represented. Rhysolitarius and T.macularius are daily growing less numerous and small hawks are beginning to increase in numbers. August 31. (Sunday) Cloudy and clearing. Spent all the day about the house with Barstow. September 1. Cloudy and chilly with east wind. In A.M. went down to the mouth of the river with B. and he shot a y.y. bittern Saw a Charadrius virginicus. In P.M. skinned the bittern and collected some Spanish moss for packing. This morning I shot a y.y. Ac.fuscus flying over the barn. Ec. migratories are col- lecting into large flocks. September 2. Showery and clearing with heavy N.W. winds. Took the steamboat with B. this morning up to the outlet, Dr. Ambler and party also on board, bound for "the retreat". The steamer stuck going over the bar at the outlet and we were delayed two hours there: finally getting across we rode to Leonards pond where we disembarked and B. started up, leaving me stationed at