just a little grass, birds who have collected a little along report birds rather scarce this season. Cordial was out I think about the 19th and took two Lind. Castanea both S. D. Stricta is not as abundant as usual though I hear their full listless song occasionally in the garden. Yesterday I heard the first Cyanospiza and Corticops dives though both have been some time seen in adjoining towns. May 26 Clear with S. wind & rather warm, Max. temp. 70°. One of the most fine days of the season. Henry Hanson came out yesterday & spent the night & this morning proving so good we decided to try the birds together. Started immediately after breakfast and stopped first at the foot of the Mandle Hill when Henry killed 2 G. Cort. borealis, 3 Pube. 3 Pigeon. I shot a pair of botrys riparia and watched one of them for some time as it sent the sand out in showers from a hole it had commenced digging, and hemming to see its progress in the operation as it gave them a vigorous first way turn the sand flew out. He must draw up into the "willows" when we