8 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874 Mildenhall, Co., Mass. Start or find him. Taking a station for quack at dusk I shot a very fine wood duck as he flew by me. I scarcely had taken him from the dog mouth when three teal went past & I managed to get in my only remaining charge (2) at long range. Only one bird was hit but he so badly that he towered to some little height & drifted off into the darkness. Saw on track 4 hard ferral pigeons. Oct. 1 Clear cool and windy. Went into Boston early and stood guard in the office for several hours having a most exciting time of it. Came out at 3:30 & getting on my shooting togetery started for the swamps which I found almost alive with sportsmen. Not among others R. Hybitt who told me that Carly that morning he flushed a flock of at least 50 birds! They rose wild at some 300 yds & flew out of sight. I beat about the swamps till sunset without getting a shot at anything, when I met Stone & his brother, who had filled two rails. We all took station near the track to wait for ducks. Saw one wood & one black duck. The former gave Stone a fine shot which he missed. Just a pipe came over my head flying with almost inconceivable velocity & I