166 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 July 10 Clear and cool, Spent the forenoon in sailing about the bay and took the 2.35 train for Boston. I forgot to mention Sterna paradisica and Larus atricilla both of which I saw yesterday off the mouth of the harbor. The terns were not nearly so abundant as last season. July 13 Clear and warm (mor. 88° at noon), In the forenoon took a walk up through the swamps to visit a goldfinch's nest found on the 26th ult. (which by the way was to day deserted and empty). In the hour or two between, I shot Starlings last bittorn which flew but a short distance as usual alighted in a bush where it sat peering at me with out stretched neck and the moment that I moved withdrawn its head behind the leaves. After watching it some little time I shot and killed it at long range. Being obliged to make a long circuit to get to where it fell what was my surprise to see another flying high up one the swamp with legs drawn up behind and proudly in a leisurely manner with steady flapping tail in the manner of the horn birds generally. Before this bird was out of sight a third row some 50yds off uttering a loud incessant ca-ca-ca as it got up and continuing it from time to time from the top of a thick Alder where it found this latter bird was a g and her actions soon convinced one that sh