Aug. 27, 1874 Aug. 27 Chas & a fine day with little wind. S. B. & Self took the boat up lake and started in at Leonard's Pond for a day duck shooting. Found about a dozen ducks in the pond and spent the forenoon chasing them; at least B. did S. & I having Orson Station on the two narrows. S. & B. both had a number of shots but bagged only one duck. I find only one shot a very long one & I while lying in my hand I was much surprised at hearing the whistle of a Caracara. After imitating his call for a few minutes I got him within range & killed him; it proved a young bird in a plumage quite new to me. Saw also a number of Blue Jays solitaries him. After lunch S. & I sailed down the lake to Block Island Cove firing away shot at a Black duck as far passed out of the river. In the pond hole by the cove we found about a dozen mergansers but they all got off without our getting a shot. As we approached it at least 30 Redwing cardinals rose at once and after whirling about in circles hit on the tops of some dead pines which