Journals, 1871-1919 (inclusive)

Brewster, William,1851-1919
Unknown
Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library
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Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Ornithology Brewster William 1851-1919

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X 5Bv 974112 (2)
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Vol. II. The important systematic notes are copied into "N.E.Birds, Systematic Notes, W.Brewster, Vols.1, II, III, 1865-1882." Walter Deane, June 11, 1898.
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Ornithological & Sporting JOURNAL of William Brewster. Sep. 21, 1854.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 1 Sept. 21- 1874 Sept. 21 Clear & a fine day. In A.M. Mr. Maynard called and stopped to dinner with me. He saw a Minnow Jay at Newtville last morning (Sept. 20); had a good fight at it & from its actions is confident that it was not an escaped cage bird. In P.M. went into town and saw J.C. Melvin; he has found woodcock quite plenty all through the summer & up to present date has seldom failed to put up from 10 to 12 for day. Since Sept. 6 when he saw the last bird in a corn field they have been altogether on fall ground principally birch hillsides. As cock has been feeding here everywhen also he is at a loss to imagine where these have come from as they were not here in July. Sept. 22 Clear & a most lovely day. Started for the swamps with Stone at 9 A.M. and shot them all carefully for Ch. asilis, finding only two both of which I shot. Small birds of all kinds now very common especially D. striata which absolutely swarmd everywhere. I shot a Surdas Alicia and a Sy.y. Indica Am. Sitta Canadensis has been very abundant now and I saw one of to day. Rails are absolutely swarming in the swamps: Every shot that we find shielded angry cries from all parts of their watery retreats. Saw a flock yet
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Concord Mass. Sept. 23 - 1874 least 500 Dins. pursuers flying into the swamps this evening Turdus Mig, is unusually abundant this season & swarms of them pass over at sunist heading for their roost in the swamps. Sept. 23 Clear & warm. Last night cold this falling to 37°, Rose early & took the 6.30 train for Concord When I met Jim by appointment and after a delay of a few minutes we took a team from the stable and started North from the town., Beat all that portion of our woodcock grounds, Peter Robbins mills Parker lot Melvins 2d. YC. with but poor success finding only 1 cock & about a dozen grouses. Jim bagged one of the latter and I shot not a single bird of any kind though I fired nine shots at grouse. Had a good tramp however I felt well paid for my trouble by several of those little pleasant episodes which always occur in a good day in the woods. At an time while beating up a little "bush" we heard a succession of loud screaming screams & shrieks as if a child was being subjected to the most diabolical torture. Then sounds were continued for several minutes until my curiosity induced me to go to the place, a hillside covered with large timber. Approaching cautiously I found a large flock of jays fluttering yetildy
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Concord Mass. Sept. 24 - 1874 about a thick white pine from which the sounds proceeded & when within about 100 yds was immense owl, the largest I think that I can saw started from the tree and flew around me through the woods striking the branches at intervals with its wings and producing so loud a noise that I heard it long after the bird had passed out of sight. What the Species was I cannot imagine: it looked larger than the biggest eagle. Reached the town by 6 P.M. spent the evening talking with Jim, Dan & I also dropped in for a half hour or so. Sept. 24 Char and not quite so warm as yesterday Started off immediately after breakfast on foot striking East. Struck first into "Halls" where we put up 7 cock and bagged three of them with a snipe grouse which I shot off a brick kind, Matt beat the causeway team"I bagging another grouse in very thick cover. Then crossed over to the school house place where we put up a covey of 6 dozen grouse & one cock bagging the latter. Last of all we beat "Daw meadows" putting up three cock one of which I killed. Total W.P. 3 cock & 2 grouse J.C.M. 2 cock. Reached the town by 7 P.M. pretty well fagged out.
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Concord Mass Sept. 25 - 1874 Sept. 25 Clear and as hot as in August, I had intended going home this morning but the weather continuing so fine we decided upon another hunt. So took the 7.50 train for W. Bedford and beat the whole of the E Concord ground, Put up 4 cock and 2 guineas. Dissed 1 of the former & gave do of the latter. Several of the cock left behind yesterday were gone to day which confirms my friends hypothesis that the birds are on a flight. On Dame made I started a G Quail which by her actions gave me to suspect that she had either eggs or young in the vicinity and on the Schoolhouse ground the dogs after roading for some time started a pair of old guails. The G ran along in front of "Dodge" rising & flying a few yards at a time until W. as brave able to resist the temptation that her, and I fired at the cock supposing them young birds & part of A bear which W. had seen near there. A few moments later the old dog pointed again and our remains can only be imagined when we found under his paw froze a brood of young birds not larger than field mice. As I luckily made a clean miss on the cock we had good hopes that he would allow to them. While taking our dinner in a cool maple grove by a brook a large hawk (which with some history
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Concord Mass Sept. 25 - 1874 I pronounced John Strick came dashing overhead and plunging into a flock of robins but missed his aim; making a quick turn he shot with the speed of lightning across the small opening and seizing an unfortunate Colaptes among some wild apple trees dropped immediately to the ground with his prize. The poor bird when caught uttered loud cries of anguish which though continually growing fainter was kept up unceasingly for at least five minutes. Going to the spot about half an hour after we started the hawk from the ground and jerked up the head and neck of his victim all that remained. Twice during the day a grouse passed us flying swiftly but very gracefully and evidently having taken wing voluntarily from one feeding ground to another. Small birds have been very abundant all three days. Among others I noted several Phoronia lagis, one of which I started among some thick brinks on a hillside; this note is I think almost precisely like that of S. Phil. So day I saw a brood of Cyanos. Cyana I heard the full song from the adit &. Birds given song every morning for a half hour or more in front of the Court house. Called on Mrs. Buthrick in the evening.
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6 Middlesex Co. Mass. 1874 Sept. 26 Clear and warm. Came down from Concord this morning and spent the day in the house writing D.C. Sept. 28 Cloudy & warm. Rose early & took breakfast at 6 with S[ton]. Started immediately for the swamp taking "Shot". On the way down met the Vesbitt brothers who had seen a snipe or two but shot nothing. In the first swamp I had a double shot at a brace of rails but missed both. Next struck one towards Block Island shooting a bittern in the way. Places we found "signs" of an enormous number of snipes the mud in some places being almost white with their droppings but could start only two birds out of which I shot. Coming home we started another snipe Chick S. fired at, I shot a rail both firing. Sept. 29 Cloudy. Commenced fishing about 10 & fanned for the rest of the day. Immediately after breakfast took Shot and started for the swamp. Bagged two rails & a snipe in the first swamp then struck one on to the large meadows where I shot a teal as she sprang out of a brick. I had seen her feeding and making a careful stalk got within ten yards before she saw me. Calling broken winged she made my dog by the most skillful diving & I had to do
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Sept. 30 Char and cold with high N wind. Storm came up after breakfast but we Decided not to start until the afternoon. About noon Barstow called I both took [illegible] to dinner with me. At about 4 P.M. started for the reams with storm taking old Bart, had some fair lively shooting on rails lazy flight of which I shot 4. Started a magnifier when I find at him he set his wings failed , but ten yards & apparently hit in a thicket of tall bushes interlaced with briars. Although I hunted at last 30 minutes with the dog I was unable to either.
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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
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1874 Oct. 3 Clear cool and a fine day. I spent the forenoon in the house feeling rather under the weather in consequence of a severe cold. At 3 P.M. J. C. Melvin came out bringing dog & guns, as I was quite anxious to see his old Prairie hunt I decided to ask an addition to my cold so started with him for the meadows. We found only one Snipe on the lower meadows but upon arriving at the Black Island ground we found a number of boys & men ranging away at the birds which were quite numerous. We must have seen twenty five in all and as many as fly flying together. Fired 8 or 10 shots apiece without bringing a feather to bag though we killed a teal (N Carolina I think) which fell across a ditch & was stolen by some boys while we was going round. All the Snipe lay remarkably well & we had some good chances; in our instance his rising separately from one spot giving us time to change shells between the shots.
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"Sniper Shooting" Oct. 5 - 1874 Oct. 5 Clear with a bracing N. wind. Rose at 5.30 and getting a light breakfast I met Nesbitt by appointment at his house and started for the swamps. In taking Belle & I shot, in the brickyard swamp he flushed a snipe & I killed a solitary Sandpiper and two rails. One of the latter was sitting in bush two feet or more above the water enjoying the morning sun: as I fired at him another ran quickly across a little channel & from the Promontary glump that I had of it I was quite positiver that it was V. novorbeancus : him I also saw a wood duck which rose at the report of the gun. Our attention was now attracted to the big meadows by repeated firing in that direction & approaching them from the Artificial side we found them occupied as on Saturday with a mob of pot hunters armed with long muskets &c. who were putting up the birds in all directions. Having marking down their birds into adjacent meadows we soon began to get some sport and morrows in a short time most of them began to leave & we closed the white ground to ourselves. By 12 the birds became so badly scattered that we gave them up and started for home. My bag was snipe 16, geese bird 1, old sandpail 3, Nesbitt had 5 snipe (2 were drawn birds which I count ed both bags). Shot behaved admirably & made several fine points. Ch. Snipe
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Middlsex Co., Mass. 11 Oct. 6 - 1874 now nearly all I think flight birds which had dropped in last night for I found signs in only one or two places: they lay remarkably well and flew very strong. We found two or three of our birds on some sprig ground near J. Hill's. Here I shot a very large bird which after being just up once or twice had dropped into a field of standing corn. Saw Anthus ludovicianus and shot Striga maculata & E. trifidatus. Saw numbers of D. coronata yesterday It is I think this first arrival. Oct. 6 Clear and warm. Spent most of the day in town. J. Nobitt beat the meadow this morning without seeing a snipe or missed any bird worth shooting at. Pegulus fatrapa and Certhia familiaris arrived to day. Oct. 7 Cloudy with chill E. wind. Started for the meadows at about 9 A.M. Beat the whole of the large masses near Black Island without seeing a bird though in two places I found fresh signs of snipe. On the way back gwent through the rickyard swamp very thoroughly and had fair sport bagging 6 sail & 2 snipe in 8 shots. Shot pointed Arnold of the sail & behaved well as usual, I think once,
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12 Oct. 7 - 1874 of the rail that we got at this season have flight birds from the N. as their numbers vary greatly on different days but under that hypothesis it is not a title peculiar that I have seen some them migrating while lying for ducks in the dusk of the evening when all the other waterfowl birds are moving about. Last night I saw 5 flyc geese flying over our place. I had not seen one in the swamps for a week or more. In a letter from my friend Melvin I am informed that he flushed 8 cock at Concord on the 5th & the same number this day. previous, I secured a very fine full specimen of Cistothorus palustris this morning! it was very tame & its chatter was much like that of S. audon. D. Titula is getting scarce and Zoa. albicollis abundant. Mcl. palustris still remains in the swamps. I have not seen a Hoagla Palus Vis. this fall. they must have us as a rule very early in Sept. P. Canilia when pursued by a dog swims without hesitation over the deepest ditches & is at times very difficult to flush. Oct 8 Cloudy with high E. wind. Started for the swamps at 8 in company with Messr Town & Barstow, taking Shot. In the Brickyard swamps I bagged Three Rails & 1 Snipe; also started a bittern (B. lentig) which
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 13 Oct. 8 - 1874 Shot fronted as steadily as a woodcock. Striking into the large meadows Shot came to a most beautiful point but before we got within range two snipe bore wild & went off unshot at. As the dog still held his point I hurried up just in time to knock over a third bird which got up in front of him. Further on we started three snipe (two of them marked down birds) and I bagged one of them which B. started & wounded slightly. On the way back we went through the lower swamps again & I bagged 1 Rail & S. & B. another, between them. Total M.B. 3 snipe & 4 rails. S. & B. 1 rail - 8 birds. The snipe were all very wild and flew extremely fast. Passed a half hour or so sitting on the margin of Pont pond admiring its branches. Saw only one duck an A. O'Boone Oct. 9 Clear and a fine day with N.W. wind. Started down for the swamps at 9.30 taking Bart, as I had has injured one of his legs slightly. Beat the upper meadows first but saw only a brace of rail both of which I bagged. On the way back I started and shot a coot (Julia) and also put up three snipe all of which son out of distance; marking down on of them I followed him and catching sight of him over a brush had a fine opportunity of watch him numbered. He was sitting upright on a little mud
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14 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874 Middletown, Mass. Oct. 9 - 1874 Banks in a watchful attitude but everything remaining quiet he soon raised on his and lowering himself on the other drew in his neck until his head rested between his shoulders and thus remained for a long time with half closed eyes dozing in the sunshine. Occasionally he would give a start shake his feathers and turning his head one sideway's listen as I imagined for the moment of some field earthworm under the sand. At length becoming weary with his inaction I began walking cautiously towards him when he immediately straightened up for a moment then half crouching with old raised about the angle at which it had been found, lowered (45 deg.) stood ready for a jump. At every step I took forward he bowed his body a trifle more until finally with old deficient escape, his last on earth, he sprang into the air. Began follows. Paid 2 Price 1 Cost 1. The leaves in the swamps commenced falling to day and many snake grass which yesterday were luxuriant with green foliage are now nearly as bare as in winter. Saw Dr. Myer's yesterday; also two Chry. Prims, I cast might it stand hardly and our best prawns on now altogether too hot for snipe. Saw a pair of Black Ducks this morning. No bit larks for sometime, Sparrrows still numerous. Scot. Ferngin appeared in numbers today. Potus Jelly Dan
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MIDDLESEX CO., MASS. 15 MASS (Middlesex Co.) 1874. Oct. 10 Cloudy & warm most of the day. Spent the afternoon in town. B. Dean went up on the madows this morning but saw no anifs. Read Junco Pagusalis this arming. Sunday Oct. 11 Chas & a lovely Autumn day, with S. winds In forewoood took a drive through Warely up into the willows and back on the hill by way of Prospect St. Saw Juncoes in numbers, on a large flock of D. striata and many straggler, a few Poecetes garminnus and numbers of robins. Saw also [illegible] Cirus Hudson. & a very fine Batis borahis sitting on a locust tree near the road. I forgot to note a flock of 10 Amphilis cedronum which I saw in the dencrofs on the 9th inst. Oct. 13 Cloudy & cold. Took the 2.15 train for Concord yesterday and spent the night at the Frenchs. This morning Dan & I took a row up N. bank without a gun. A short distance above Egg Folk we came suddenly upon a Green coffins and almost at the same instant a brace of wood duck (on a magnificent drake) came rustling down the steep bank and launching into the water but near the camp watching us. The next moment all three took wing, two of them keeping on up river while the wood
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16 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874 Middlesex Co., Mass. Broke hit and immediately took to the shore and up the bank again into the bushes, following the others we started the duck from among the bushes on him and then came upon the swamp as he was fading among some rushes. He was very tame and swam paddled up within ten yards of him before he would fly. He swam very low in the water yet twitching his tail sideways with great rapidity & his head & neck looked disproportionably large thick. When he flew he trailed his feet on the water for a few yards then as he cleared the surface raised them up behind under his tail. Had also a very fine shot at an immature Breen which hovered over John Sherrons within twenty yds of us. Coming back saw a single fesc chicken (the first and number of they). James also a snipe. Pod. Moddey near the rock. After a lunch with Dan took the 185 train home. Arrived at the hour changed my things as rapidly as possible and started for the swamps with shot. Beat the upper meadows without success but in the lower put up 5 drin and bagged 2 & a sail. Shot very poorly missing 6 shots. The snipe was rather wild but did some very handsome work drawing steadily up to a brace of pipe foxes 30 yds or more, giving me a fine double which I missed most disgracefully.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 17 MASS (MIDDLESEX CO.) 1874. Stay in the swamp till after dark for ducks but saw none. While sitting on a tussock watching the deepening shadows, a rail rose from distance off of its own accord and passed by one flying in the usual low way with dangling legs; I had supposed them acted differently at such times but now had chance to observe before. Large flocks of Scot. Ferruginous came in to roost at dusk. Numbers of ducks killed on the pond Monday. Oct. 14 Cloudy. Very cold last night thru at Dawn this morning standing at 28°. Started for the swamps at 6 taking Shot. Beat the upper meadows first when in company with a boy which I met I flushed 7 Snipe. They were quite wild but Shot did good work making a number of points. On the way down beat the brickyard swamps and put up 3 more snipe. Shot most wretchedly firing 16 shots & bagging only 3 snipe & a cost (Talcia) My companion killed 2 snipe. Took also an Am. Canadasius & 20 & Ag. Phoebeae in fall pl. Sparrows of all kinds have been troubled in numbers since yesterday & I saw also Anthus Landore Cis, Stellaris & Dugulas Calandra. Saw a Fulica (An surviving out in deep water on the pond, D. coronata very abundant this morning,
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Woodcock Shooting Middlesex Co., Mass. Oct. 15 - 1874 Oct. 15 Clear and a perfect Autumn day, sharp frost at sunrise and warm milow atmos- phere at noon. Having received an invitation yesterday from my friend Milvin to try the woodcock at Concord I took the 6.15 train this morning and arrived at C. found M. waiting for me at the station with a team. We started immediately for Acton where we commenced our beat taking in by moore all that ground, Milwins farm, Parker lot &c. At its finish we had put up 9 cock & bagged 7. Starting for town we drove rapidly for the East ground eating lunch by the way to Dan Town . Reaching Dan Meadows by 2 P. M., we put up the horse in a shed and struck into the corn at once, and after some most glorious sport we finished at Halls just as the suns was setting. During the afternoon we put up 12 birds & killed 10, Making a total as follows. Birds put up 21- 5day J M. B. 10 cock (1 shot by both) 1 grouse. Day to J. C. M. 9 cock (1 shot by both) Total bag 17 woodcock /1 grouse/ 1 rabbit. The day being a fine one for scent both dogs worked finely. I shot put up only 1 bird without pointing and twice I left him on a bird and made a long circuit in order to get a better shot when the bird rose. Double birds came springing three times during the day but in neither instance was both killed. We both shot unusually well getting
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Middlsex Co., Mass. 19 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874. scarcely all our birds at the first rise but late in the afternoon the setting sun shining into our eyes caused several bad smuffs as at that time the gas barrels reflected a perfect flood of light when raised to the shoulder. The woodcock coa [illegible] rule rose rather lazily but many of them flew a surprising distance. One very large bird which we had put up several times without getting a shot was at length driven out to me by M., and gave me a good cross shot at 20 yds. but owing to the dazzling sun light above my head I was unable to on him at all upon raising my gun & consequently missed dead with both barrels. Being in a good position to mark him I had him pass high over a large tract of Birches when we had first found him & then whistled for over a tall oak grove I just caught a glimpse of his wings as he dropped in an open beyond at least 500 yds from the spot where I stood. Following him up I got a fine point from shot and flushing him killed him cleanly at 25-yds. With the exception of two all the birds that we started were big birch hillbirds and as a rule on the very outskirts of the thickets. They averaged quite large in size and in every instance whistled as they rose, Melvin has
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20 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874. Middley Co., Mass. at this season a theory that they run & feed all our the thicket [illegible] which they can found and I was quite firmly impresed with that idea to day as these dogs seemed to find scent veryshus in their coves when we started birds and in no plan did we find droppings concen- trated to that extent which they can when the cock is resident [illegible] the locality, Sars Spizella monticola. in numbers, for the first time, Oct. 16 Clear and rather warm. Started in my buggy at 9 A.M. with H. Gordon and drove up to the Warren run. Beat for two or three hours but saw nothing except thin or four grouse, and find only one shot the whole morning. Saw a single Aegithus vinacia and sural Bird, Palmarums which by the way I noticed for the first time yesterday at Concord when several small flocks were observed. Got back to the home at about 2 P.M. E. Ingerson got books last night. Saw about 200 Motthunder and shot 4. Oct. 17 Clear and warm with S. wind. Started for the Warren run at 8 A.M. taking Dot. Hunted a little & put up thin grouse but spent most of my time collecting, Got 7 D. Palmarum 1 Virio Potterius and 2 Jordus Jpallicis. Saw also Panue Am. D. coronata (not many) Regulus
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Midlsex Co., Mass. 21 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874 Calendula, D. atrapa Zon. albiostri, Poecetis Gram (number) & Spiz. fusca (Scial). Saw numbers of J. pallasii; they were frequently eaten & living and uttend in addition to the chick a plaintive note which I now hear at this season before. I once bymeans is now excessively abundant and I saw flocks of 50 to 100. The chip of D. palmarum is not unlike that of D. discolor or D. aestiva, & quite different from that of coronata. Brutus boidis is beginning to appear on its old haunts Autumn is perhaps now at its fullest perfection and the woods are everywhere perfect canopies of gold, green and crimson. Sunday Oct. 18 Cloudy & warm, taking a walk in our garden after breakfast I found it littall full of birds juncos & robins predominating. Several Turdus pallasii was hopping about under the pear tree & one of them carmmed uttering the note heard yesterday but the air being very still & heavy with moisture it had a slightly different sound and while listening to it it suddenly came on me like a revelation that this was the note which I have so often heard at night in Me. & on Fresh pond of a frosty Oct. morning while waiting for the ducks to come in. A few moments of careful attention & criticism convinced
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MIDDLESEX CO., MASS 22 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874 one of the corrections of the impression God I was delighted to have at last solved the mystery. I also had a great treat in the song of a S Pigeon Calandula which although not so finished as the spring note was decidedly sweeter & richer in its varied warblings, Hlearde Stta Canade the first one left. Oct 20 Chas and cold water freezing to the thickness of window glass. Rose at 6 and taking a light breakfast of graham bread with a cup of tea started for the meadows; In the Brickyard swamps put up two [illegible] (Falhus Virginianus ) and [illegible] and filled them all the first tin. On the upper meadows did not succeed in finding a single bird though shot "drew" continually and dropping many of them quite fresh, now in abundance? A young man whom I met had been over the meadow yesterday shooting without seeing any birds though he had noticed abundance of "signs"; On the 15 he put up 13 traps & on the two following days 6 respectively. Saw the first Charistina Americana a flock of 10. Also in the pine swamps saw a ficea villlosus & a Spherapicus varius both of which were very shy. Took a Gros. Hymalis'va g Pigeon Calandula and saw several others of both species, also an Angeline Phoenico apparently a male in full plumage. Chry. Finus is now very abundant & a tough
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 23 1874 Aug. Linnaria was again noted. The migration of the Yarrow, D. coronata, Scol. ferrugineus and Sialia sialis is still at its height. Have seen no D. striata for several days and think they have passed by Spring Field Am. Candaucterus [illegible] the lower Swamp; now thin that it is of regular occurrence on our fresh wet meadows. The appearance of Rallus Pir., at so late date is of especial interest: they must be migrants from the N. as I am convinced that there has been none in the swamps during the past month. No ducks on the pond this morning as I am informed by one who rode on the ground at daylight. The hens in the marsh swamps are now all down and Port Pond lately to beautiful looks as drear as in November. Oct. 21 Cloudy with showers in A.W. clearing off beautifully by noon. Had an engage- ment to shoot quail with Nesbitt & the Taylor brothers but the latter failing to appear started at 7 with N. alone; we were nowhere driven back by the rain & returned to dinner. At 2 P.M. made another start and put up my horse at Brown's. Beat up the "Cotton Run" and near it, made Dart found a large boy in a swamp & off them Norlock killed a bird. Leaving them Dart Roadd."}
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24 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874. another bury of about a dozen birds I pointed them handsomely in the open Stubble. I made a clean double shot as they rose, & killed 2 more in the corn, N. also got two from them making a total of 8 Quail, 6 of which went to my bag. The old dog worked very handsomely and pointed every bird steadily, saw numbers of Aeg. Phasia & C. Spurus. Oct. 23 Clear and a lovely day, took the 11.50 train for W. Bedford and striking out to Dan Meadow beat through all the Woodcock ground to Concord when I took the 6.35 train home). On Dan Meadow Shot Band up 2 cock which were lying literally within a yard of each other though the second bird did not rise until the first had been retrieved, I bagged both of them in two shots. In the Alder hedge I met Humph. Butterick with a Mr. Barrett from Boston, they had started only 2 cock and had killed 409 quail & grouse. Finding that they had beaten nearly all the best ground I saw through the remainder very hastily without even a feather. When near Concord house I came across a little artificial trout pond in the woods, and approaching it cautiously I surprised a pair of wood chucks feeding under the shore and after watching them for some time killed both with one shot. They now in a remarkably play fit
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Middlery Co., Mass. 25 1874 mood and repeatedly chased on another about lashing the water with their wings. I found this crop literally crammed with large "hog" acorns which when the bird was shaken produced a rattling sound audible at some distance. Here I also saw a water beetle of the largest size clinging to the tops of some grasses and endeavouring vainly to take wing. I think this species is the author of many of the large ripples that are seen at the surface of ponds on a calm evening. Total bag woodcock 2 - wood duck 2 Oct. 23 Clear and cool with E. wind. Took the first train to Concord when I met him at the depot by appointment. Drove up to Acton where we tied and commenced our beat. By noon we had bagged 3 cock 2 green & 1 quail. Then drew back to town and down to the foot of the great meadows when we started 3 mile 2 of which was shot. There we proceeded to the corner of the Virginia road when W. started a bay of 8 quail which occupied our attention till dark. His bag was 2 green 1 cock 1 mile & 3 quail. Mine 1 green 2 cock 2 quail & 1 mile. Thus for the first time I killed all the Mass. game birds in one day. Your wood ducks were started on an old dry bird was very small size. The bag of quail found in Acton was marked
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26 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874. Shelby Co., Mass. down in an open buckberry pasture but the old hen which Shot found I pointed was the only bird that we could find with our two dogs though I am confident that we must have passed (many times within) a few yards of some of them. We started about 15 grouse in all the greatest number seen this year at Concord. Shot behaved very poorly making multitudes of false points and flinching ours most of his birds. The first birdwork that I started I lost most desperately by snapping both barrels of my empty gun having forgotten to put in the shells but I afterwards found I killed him. Anthus ludovicianus was all over the great meadows in flocks I only Oct. 24 Clear and cool with E. wind. In P.M. drove Bartow up to Belmont and sat in the buggy while he hunted old Dart not wishing to walk myself as I sprained one of my hips slightly yesterday. He flushed them grouse & a parson (Ardea herodias) but did not get any of them. Saw a fine & Pies within near the road 123 afterwards coming up shot it for me. Oct. 26 Clear warm and still. Started off after breakfast with C. Carter and tied on
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 27 MASS (713) [illegible] (No.) 1874. Prospect St. Old Dart struck the scent of a Groux before we had beaten 500 yds and after roading them handsomely for ¼ of a mile came down to his point on the edge of a little meadow. Getting him on with much difficulty a bury of at least 25 birds got up. I had a good double shot but only killed one bird. C. fired both barrels without success. Following them up I killed two more and a grouse. Total quail 3 & grouse 1. Charlie killed 1 quail. The bury feathered so badly when it first rose that we only found a bury few of its numbers again. Hard numbers of As bincia in the birches. Tracked the horn by 12 M. Took a drink in P.M. & stopping a few moments at dusk near the Block Island meadow I heard at least two snipe & I thought now. Oct. 27 Morning clear but cloudy with light showers in the afternoon. Very warm & close. Spent the forenoon in the house. At 2 P.M. started off with Charlie C. & Barstow for a quail shoot and after putting up our horses, Charlie's at Cottus and mine at Browns pic struck up the barn. Started nothing for a long time except two grouse one of which I killed by a hard snap shot through scrub oaks. After hunting on
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28 Oct. 27. How or do now without success Dart track the track of the large bird behind Cottons and leading them out into the open drew to a noble point just on the crest of a little hill. Though the cover underneath was good [thick matted weeds] the birds got up rather wild and only one was shot which all three of us unfortunately fired at together, I being off to our side got in only one barrel. Following them into the brush Charlie got nearly all the shots and killed 3 birds, I shot another grouse which C. drove over my head. It was apparently utterly exhausted by its long flight as it lit in a little oak tree immediately after my shooting at it on wing, when I killed it sitting. Charlie also flushed a woodcock which taking an extraordinary long flight passed over us I was missed by B. The grouse was very wild & lay but poorly which I have always noticed is the case on dark rainy days or in falling snow. I forgot to note under 27th & 3rd that a cock which we started in a small clump of birch bushes adjoining a potato field had been feeding all our said field as evidenced by numerous chalk marks & borings; on such a season as this when all the birds without exception are found on high dry ground This fact is of special interest Heard Barn. Am. in our garden this morning, James & Sharrows getting there
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Nyctalis Acadia Middlesex Co., Mass. 29 Oct. 30 - 1874 Oct. 29 Clear and warm with strong S. wind. Met J. C. Melvin at C. Curtis by appointment and started for Belmont at 2 P.M. Spent the whole afternoon hunting the "runs" behind Cottons for quail without seeing a feather of any kind. Left M. at Belmont when he took the train for Concord Oct. 30 Clear and cool with N. W. wind, off after breakfast with C. Curtis who furnished the team which we left on Mill St. Spent the whole day beating for quail with but poor success. In the swamp behind Chesbury's, we flushed two grouse one of which I bagged after firing three shots at her. Left us hunted all the runs behind Cottons without moving anything except two grouse. From there we struck on into a vast tract of woodland behind Phe's which I never visited before. In this place I shot a fine Nyctalis Acadia which started from a low brush within a yard of my head, and flying a few rods lit in the top of a high leafless birch tree. After watching it a few moments I walked back a few paces to be sure of getting a good (shooting) and fired but to my great disgust it went off untouched. Marking carefully the position I followed and again it started from a low brush under which I was passing and lit in a brick top as
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 30 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1844 Oct. 30 before this time I was fortunate enough to see one. It sat erect like all the owls and looked much larger than it in reality was indeed I at first mistook it for Scops asio, its flight was slow flickering and apparently feeble still in within instance did it go more than 20 yds. Upon dissection I found its body cased in fat. The stomach contained the remains of a large mouse I think Arvicola. Here are also flushed a bury of about 15 quail with C's dog found but they took to such bad corn that we gave them up without bagging a bird though C. find six shots, I two. While eating lunch a very brown Colluris brealis lit on an apple tin near us and I fired at it without success. During the afternoon we hunted hard without any finds until just at dusk when Shot came to a fine point on a woodcock Capt. backing him a short distance off. Calling C. up the bird a very large one rose and gave it three barrels we distinctly saw it fall in some alder within 25 yds of where we stood, Upon putting in the dogs they could find nothing best after usual minutes each Shot commenced roading a strong scent which he followed 80 yds or more out into a meadow. Keeping well up with him I was much surprised to see the bird run as strong
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 31 MASS, (AMHERST Co.) 1874 Oct. 30 and well as her from among the Tussocks and soar up over the alder with his loud shrill whistle until my charge brought him broken winged to the earth. Dickins' bin up I was admiring his beautiful plumage and bright hazel eyes when he flung the air forcibly several times with his uninjured wing producing at each blow a note of the characteristic whistle and producing it indisputably with his wing. This latter occurred I have witnessed before but have never before recorded it. The migration of Harrows warblers v. c. has nearly entirely passed. P. vilica is honour with us in moderate numbers (they are very clear this year) and a few P. cornata or Hill Left Garden Pallasii still frequent. W. B. ground woodcock ). Saw 4 Np. Gardeni in Dickins' place. Oct. 31 Clear and warm. Spent the day working on the birds shot yesterday. Late in P.M. took a walk up to Mt. Auburn and while returning around the back side of Prof. Bowells Place I was rather surprised to see four Nyctanada Gardenii fly out of some large pines near the road. I think it has been a regular haunt of theirs through the autumn as I have heard thin cries on several occasions after pursuit proceeding from the same spot.
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West Barnstable, Mass. Nov. 4th 1874 With Messrs Melvin Carter & Buttrick I took the 4 o'k train on the O.C.R.R. yesterday P.M. and arrived at Capt. Baxter's at about 8; when we were warmly welcomed by the old gentleman and his pleasant family. I took down my setter "Shot" and Jim M, his two pointers "Disgusto" and "Princes" and Charlie C. his pointer "Captain." Buttrick took no dog. Rose this morning at daybreak to find the sky cloudless and the earth covered so thickly with hoarfrost that the country looked as if crowned with a light fall of snow. We all started off immediately for a trip before breakfast Charlie & Buttrick going inland and Jim M. with Buttrick taking the river. They came in with 2 guails a teal (V. Carlinensis) but we saw nothing but 2 grouse one of which I shot at. After breakfast all five started off together taking the old Oldville route. At "the Shop" we struck a bevy of about 15 birds and as they rose shot down 5 of them, And I killed 2 now in the brush. Our next find was at "the Gravyard" where I got up a bevy of about 25 large birds, and we bagged 6 of them altogether. On the way home I found a bevy of 3 birds none of which were killed and struck the bevy at the Shop again where we killed 2. Total bag: W.B. guails 7, Melvin guail Carter Buttrick Total killed 17, grouse 1, Teal 1
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"West Barnstable - Mass. 33 Nov. 4 - 1874. 1874. Nov. 5 Clear with rather strong S. wind. Off together after breakfast (Malin & Buttrick now out before without starting a feather) striking N. towards W. Barnstable proper. Shot found the first berry in a swamp over the Stage Road, and pointed them handsomely; As they rose I killed with my first barrel and Buttrick also dropped one; A third which was probably my second bird towering at least 100 ft. and then falling to the ground was picked up alive & shot through the head. This berry although a very large one acted so badly after taking to the scrub that we got only one more shot which I fired (3 wind), The next berry was walked up by Buttrick among some pitch pines and from it he killed 3 birds & Malin 1. These birds day very well but seemed to give out no scent at all not a single pigeon being made on any of them. The third & last berry I shot loaded in fine style for at least 20 yd., but the corn was so very bad that a single bird which I killed was the only one scored. Although our team of dogs is so strong we nevertheless pass at least two thirds of the birds we come to, finding from the signs that we find in nearly every field. Capt. B. Says that the birds are now in the Woods more than in Oct. & Consequently are harder to find. W. B. quail 3. M.grail 1 Butt. quail 4, gron 1. Cote. Gron 1. Total 8 quail - 2 groun. I felt very lonely & shot badly.
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West Barnstable, Mass. Nov. 6 - 1874 Elmer and a boy had rather high N. wind. Buttrick & Melon went out before breakfast but did not find a shot. We all started at about 8 taking the Osterville route. At the "Hope" heard a grawl whistle loudly and upon seeking the place all the dogs came down handsomely on the scent but after reading it for some 200 yds they all lost it and we had to get the birds up. I think the birds scattered & ran in all directions, finally either taking wing or flurting up into the trees. We next struck the green yard ground when Charlie found a bay of 8 birds of which we filled 5. They were not the same found on the 4th as they were not under these two thirds green. While forcing my way through some shunted pine shrubs on a high hill, I started a Sparrow which I at once recognized by its peculiar flight as CT. Heenbawi and charging my shells I flushed it again and shot it. It was a beautiful specimen & full plumage new to me and proud on dissection & q: the body was fairly used in fat. The fact of its occurrence in such a locality at so late a date must be one of great interest. Shortly after this I lost my companions and was separated from them three or four hours. I lost hours was guided to them by this firing at a small bay of 10 guail wild, Melon started, and from which birds
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West Barnstable Mass 35 1874 Nov. 6. were killed. From this place we trucked on to "[illegible] field" when saw bury of at least 30 large quail some wild sort of the road, and truck into the [illegible] scrub that I have seen upon the Cape. Then we followed them until dark but they behaved so very badly, rising out of range running hundred of yards immediately after being startled, taking to the trees that we bagged only two birds. Total W.B. quail 2, Buttrick quail [illegible], grouse 2, Molin quail 2. Packed up this evening for a start home to-morrow morning. Crosbills (C. Am.) Sitta Canadensis, and Chryson. pinus are all very abundant here the two first species more so than I ever saw them around Cambridge. Saw also one very fine & Picus villosus to day and a flock of Eremophila cornuta. Soripe (G. Wilb) have taken up their winter quarters along the river and we also heard Portana Carolina in the same locality yesterday. Sturnella magua was abundant as usual. Saw Circae [illegible] Hudsonicus nearly every day and stated on from a change of Bushes when it was apparently watching some domestic fowls that were perching in the barn within a few yards seemingly unmindful of its presence. Nov. 7 Left W. Barnstable at 1 & arrived in Boston by noon.
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Nov. 9 -- 1874 Nov. 9 Cloudy with damp S. wind. After breakfast took a turn up on the farm collecting, Cook Burr. Am 4, Sitta Canadensis 4 & Juncos hyemalis 1, Saw a very fine S. Sitta Canadensis. The S. Carolin. were paired as usual and when one was shot its mate showed considerable solicitude. The other species dissolves all conjugal connection after the breeding season. Saw several Berthia familiaris and Regulas Patrica. Paris streak was in unusual abundance. A few Juncos are still about and Pas. Hiqica is quite numerous. They, tristis are common in small flocks but have seen no Clay. Juncus for some time. Az. micra has also apparently disappeared. Saw two birds flying over our place this morning which attend a nest entirely new to me. I think they must have been Phe. Sapphines. Curvirosta Am. has two notes on the ordinary call and another clear & more bell like. Know that I shot comprised all the numbers of a flock. They were very tame and so fat that they made rather poor specimens. All which I wing tipped I took from air and it is doing my will on a diet of canary seed and cold water. In the cedars above grounds I shot C & Groom from a tree. She sat perfectly motionless with outstretched neck & feathers drawn very close.
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Nov. 13 - 1874 Nov. 13 Was a very cold day. The 20° at sunrise. The last three days have been most dad ones to us. Mother died at 20 minutes before 1 on Tuesday morning and we accompanied her remains to the grave yesterday afternoon. Seeking rest and consolation when I knew most surely I could find it - in Nature - I started off with my gun and dog immediately after breakfast. While driving up Willington hill I spied a boy of quail basking in the sun in a little sheltered nook by the roadside and quickly tying my horse I followed them up and in the course of the forenoon bagged 5. Shot behind very handsome, and made fine flinch points. Singularly enough when they rose the first time about half the bay lit in an open mowing field, while a most gallant cone lay on either side of them. With the exception of one bird I killed all those I could find, for they lay very close though they apparently entirely withheld all count. Shot also 2 hawks while flung our new and heard some Curucrostra Am. Saw numbers of Chry. tristi, Pas. ducau and a few Mel. melodica. Reached the home by 1.30 P.M. Total bag Quail 5.
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Clear and cold. This, 18° at sunrise. Off after breakfast taking Shot. Drove up into Prospect St. where I tried and beat the Cotton sums for grain all the forenoon, but did not move anything except two grouse and a bird which puzzled me completely. The latter I came across in this wise: Shot had been following a scent for some distance and I was hurrying through some second growth oak brush trying to keep as near him as possible when a bird apparently of a dark slate color and it seemed to me nearly as large as a turkey buzz with a prodigious whirring & flutter from under my very feet, certainly within 4 feet of me. I was so much startled by its size and near proportion that I fired rather hastily, but a few feathers floating back to me on the wind convinced me that I had not made quite a clean miss; one of those which I picked up was a complete plume & I cannot conjecture what its owner could have been. I made a most careful search all through the woods ahead but was unable to start it again, and think it must have taken to some of the pine trees near. As it was a long distance from any house it could scarcely have been a domesticated bird, though its flight was so slow as rather to suggest that hypothesis. Found one long shot at a grouse and killed a very fine & Coloptes auratus as it was flying over.
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MIDDLESEX Co., Mass. 39 1874. Nov. 14 my head. Saw two Grouse, Am. at least a dozen Pass'd chicka, and on the sound bank in "Cambridge Neck" a flock of about a dozen Eremophila cornuta. The day was a most lovely one for though cold there was scarcely any wind. Got back to the house by 1 P.M. Nov. 18 Rain'd hard last night the first time for many days. Indeed this section of the country is now suffering from a great drought. Cloud off finely at noon & the afternoon was warm and mild. Had dinner at 12.30 and started off at 1 with Bassettors. Put up the horn on Mill St. and started in on Climates brook above the mill pond. Spent the whole afternoon in the corn above the pond when we started 4 grouse & a day of about 10 quail. I shot 2 grouse in 4 shots and a quail in 7 shots having very hard luck. The grouse lay like Woodcock and Shot got hardly points on all but one bird. I accounted for this unusually good behavior on their part by the fact that the hairs and underbrush was softened by last nights rain and therefore less noise was furnished by us in passing them and through them. B. killed nothing though he find a number of turkeys (Wheat Tree, hymalis and Pender) Wheats W.B. grouse 2 quail 1
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40 1874. Ipswich Mass.—Passerculus princeps Nov 20th 1874, Nov.20 Rose at 5.30 and met Purdin at the Eastern R.R. Station for a trip together to Ipswich. Arrived at the town we took a boat and pulled down river for the sand hills about 8 miles at the water's flow. The morning was cloudy & cold with that gray look in the sky peculiar to Nov. days. A little below the village saw a Buteo Bonalis and an Archibuteus lappons and opposite Greenwoods a Colymbus Septentrionalis which was very shy during at our approach. Gulls also became very numerous here and then species were noted to L. marinus, argentatus and Lencopterus. The marinus were all immixt and we readily distinguished by the large size and the black bar on the tail which was quite conspicuous. The attend a scream which bore a faint resemblance to the cry of Buteo lineatus and chased the herking gulls whereupon the latter was so fortunate as to pick up any food. We approached within at least 80 yds. of a large bird of gulls sitting on the sand nearer than I ever got to do many before. As we neared the mouth of the river Ereophilus counts became very abundant. Many were in flocks of 20 or 30 and fed both on the marsh and along the beach where the tide had receded. But few lit on the sand hills. In general appearance habits and motions they strikingly resemble the sandpipers. Their notes are very like those of Arcturus luteus.
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Spaulding, Mass. 41 1874 Nov. 20 but a triple more mellos. They were very tame [illegible] feeding alone but accompanied by the wary ones butting the can was quite different. The latter species was not nearly so abundant. They lit and fed with the shore larks, but did not fly about much with them. Saw but few of either species on the sand hills. About noon happening to strike into a little circular meadow among the sand hills I flushed a bird within a few yards of me which I instantly recognized as P. Principis. I fired at it on wing and found a fine specimen. At the report two others rose and lit near me. Then I followed and killed the first on wing but missed a hard shot at the other. I afterwards heard it chirping loudly but was unable to shoot it again, though we both hunted for it a long time. As the bird rises it looks very large and nearly as white as an albino. It flits irregularly exactly like P. Savannah but its size will at once draw to distinguish it. I did not feel any of them on the ground, though they permitted in every case a near approach before rising. I heard two notes both exactly like the corresponding ones of Savannah, namely the short faint lip and a low chuck. While in reach of the last bird I started a Brachystomus cassinii within ten yards of me, and
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Spvrich, Mass. 42 1874 Nov. 20 giving it both barrels of dust shot wounded it slightly in the wing. It flew perhaps so yds. and lit. Approaching the place I came suddenly upon it crouched among the beach grass and as it saw me it turned its head and opened its bill amazingly. I stood for several minutes admiring the beauty of its rich plumage when R. [illegible] up and struck a blow at its head with his canvas but missed when it rose with some difficulty and I again fired both barrels missing them this time. It however went but a short distance and again lit and flashing it over more I killed it. It is decidedly the finest [illegible] that I have seen. Saw then large flocks of Bermuda Gans, and several hundred [illegible], species unrecognised. At 1 th. storm which had threatened all the morning broke upon us and we started for town in a pouring rain and against a strong tide. Reached Cambridge by 7 P.M. thoroughly soaked. One of the principles which I have sketched had the crop filled entirely with large black spiders. B. J. Goodale started his trip to day at Abington Mass. and killed three of them; two which I saw in the fish row very large birds and quite fat. Melvin started 6 cock on the 8th and I on th 10th just, the last I have made,
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Myctea Nivea Ipswich Mass. 43 1874. Nov. 24-1874 Nov. 24 Alternately cloudy & clear with very high wind & occasional snow squalls. Took the 10 A.M. train to Ipswich and walked down to the edge of the marsh opposite Eagle hill when I found further progress prevented by an unusually high tide which had entirely submerged the intervening marsh. Nothing could be done but wait for the falling of the water so I was obliged to spend two hours in a burrough on the lee side of a large hay stack. While here saw two adult Gireus [illegible] and a pair probably as they were hunting in company. Setting out to the hill at last I found the larks & buntings in abundance and detecting a mate new to me from a flock of the floccate whirly past I knocked for the individual sitting it and was delighted to pick up my first (?) Dapperneuses. Afterwards saw two more but could not add one of them while hours escaped. My attention was at this moment attracted by two Irishmen who were getting stones at something on the further side of a ridge. Upon seeing me they beckoned and shouted & I immediately went over to them when the dog said "if I wanted that out" at the same time coolly pointing at a magnificent Myctea Nivea which was sitting on the mud a short distance off making a circuit so as to bring him behind a large rock
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44 1874 Nov. 24 I quickly approached within 25-yds of him and at hailed him instantly with a charge of No. 3. He seemed not at all shy for I've several times peered at me by the rock & then quickly drew back. He looked very large and showed no color except white (the specimen has an unusual predominance of black feathers) and when he was first pointed out to me kept flapping about & hopping with half spread wings as if through apprehension of joining his fine neighbors with the black rod by which he was surrounded. Oenophila coccinea was not nearly so abundant as on the 20th and the finch's excelled them numerically in the proportion of 15 to 1. The latter sat more on the hills though I several times saw the larks feeding them in the close cropped fescue grass. All of the (? Lapponica) were in company with the larks and now only distinguishable from them by the whitish instead of yellow's throat while feeding, and the smaller size and slightly different flight while on wing, the depressed aspect at that time being quite indistinguishable as may be better understood upon comparing them on the 3rd. This note is for a close affinity to that of males I heard two, on a single small thrush has yellower than the breeding's that others & thrush strikingly similar to that bird.
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Spruce, Mass., 45 1874 Nov. 24 but rather less harsh and loud. I found P. rivalis in large flocks & It excessively dry that it was only by careful talking that I could get a shot. As the sun was setting wild geese suddenly appeared from seaward in immense numbers, flocks of hundred with set wings flew about in circles and many alighted for a few moments on the bare pastures but the place not proving to their liking all soon rove high in air and resumed their journey Southward. As many as 500 were in sight at one and the gabbh and clashing they right of was incessant, I took 6 P. rivalis and 3 E. cornuta, I had also bought an Mr. Graculus dilophus from a man who had just shot it on the top of Earle hill as it came flying over him. Reaching the town by dark my out attracted a disagreeable amount of attention and I was subjected to a most persistent ordeal of cross questioning by the inhabitants answer whom was the reporter of the Spruce Chronicle who took my name and affirmed that he intended publishing the account of the capture in his paper. Yesterday we had a very heavy storm of snow succeeded by rain and hundreds of geese are reported to have been found in the woods in an exhausted condition.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 46 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874. Nov. 26 Clear & Still. Went to Andover for the day. R. Dean & C. Baxter tried the grail in Belmont & shot 3. O. also shot a B Taurus lentigiosus and saw a single Pinicola enucleator. Two of the latter bird was shot at Byrm by Godale about two weeks ago. Nov. 30 Clear but windy and cold. Went up on the farm collecting in the forenoon and took the following: Sitta Cana. 2, Pinicola enucleator 2 (1 adt.) Sitta Cana. Paserilla iliaca 2 (6 & 9) Saxacora albicula and two Blue Jays. Also members of C. tristi. Found the grosbeaks quite abundant and observed several flocks containing a dozin or more individuals. Saw also a small flock of Orew. Am. Have seen no C. lucifera this season though Godale has had moral sent in from Conn. Barns atricap, Certhia Cana. & Regulus satapa fairly (warm) this season. Of the latter species I must have seen 80 today. The Sitta Cana. was in a large flock of the three last named species & as I am convinced the same bird seen on this place on the 9th inst. The grosbeaks are quite tame though scatter in disposition. I have no difficulty in calling a flock down from the air by an imitation of their familiar chirish. Some of this low sorts are very ventrilogist in character. I think they feed on the seeds in the whist pine cone though preferring the cedar brin.
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Dec. 1-1874 Dec. 1 Clear and still but very cold. Waid out to the East at dawn and a slight fall of snow in the evening Off after breakfast driving up to the family mill pond when I tied my horse. I spent the forenoon fishing about among the cedar woods in the vicinity but had very poor luck getting only 2 birds an inn. Grobsck & P. Polus Purbesens for mounting, could have shot members of the former but was looking for the adults and them I could not find. Heard Curr. am and saw then 3 or four Turdus migr also a large flock of Geese and literally swarms of Bregulus Satripa. Started a grove off the wall as I was driving from through Prospect St. Dec. 3 Clear and mild, Started off after breakfast taking old Dart, and drove up to Mayners when I tied my horse and started out with N. to hunt up a bag of quail which he had seen on the farm. The old dog soon snuck thin trail "barked" them out into an open box meadow when he finally pulled up stiff away from cranberry vines. We both got into position and as the birds rose, each made a chance double starting all four birds, three of those remaining lit in the open meadow after passing through Strawberries and two of them with another flushed in the thicks were soon added to the bag only one
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48 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874. Dec.3 bird in the berry swaping, I also started two grouse and bagged one of them. Were in the field only two hours and a half and had a most Pleasant time. W. B. 5 (-1/2) quail 1 grouse, C. J. M. 8 + 3 quail. Dec.5 Alternately cloudy and clear. Very cold but with scarcely any wind. From early and had a light breakfast at 6. Got off a little before 7 with R. Nesbitt and drove up to Mr. Stearns in Walham where we put up the horse for the day. Began on beat to the Westward of Shermans pond then inclining to the N. hunted up around the Medon Parker place and down through a succession of runs to Stearns. Had a most glorious days sport for though our bags was moderate we started lots of birds & the dogs worked well, the main requisition for a good time. Found in all three small bodies of quail, and 17 grouse, The latter was nearly all found in the buns and in the majority cases lay nearly as well as quail so that with "Shots" steady working I fine now do get a number of shots for Steady points. Old Major (N's Setter) also worked finely and is a noble looking dog in the field. We both shot rather poorly especially at the grouse. In one place N. got five consecutive points on grouse in one little open made where the birds lay close among the twines. The quail had evidently been hunted to great deal and flew farther than I dur
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Middlsex Co., Mass. 49 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1874 them knew it before. Shot behind as usual and on one occasion had just picked up a dead quail when a crow started by. I came by me. I shot it and the jay charged close at the report still holding the quail in his mouth, and when told to “hold off” drew to five point on the dead grawn without dropping his quail. Saw large numbers of Piniesta annulater and took 2 fin adult S. At the report of a gun the whole flock scatted in all directions each bird diving and whiling about. After all brewns quiet again one of them pet up his whistling call from some tree top and in a few minutes the others appear and the flock is soon collected within again. Much to my surprize I found Aguthea linaria quite abundant everywhere among the liches and in large flocks. I had not seen them before for at least a month & do not think that they can now be found in this neighborhood (Cambridge vicinity). Heard also Gray’s hunches. Reached home by 6 P.M., well pleased with our days hunt. Bag N.B. grown 3 quail 3. R.N. grown 3 quail 1. Dec. 10 Clear mild & a fine day. Off after breakfast for small birds taking the Cortidge farm). Shot a fin J Piniesta m. adult, a Botta Car. & (for mounting)
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and two & Cistic familiars which latter I found. York old Dart i bat carefully for quail but did not succeed in finding the bay. Saw one large flock of Siblea snechetor a Turdus migratoriis, Solpito auratus &c fus Chry. tristis. Cyanua cristata is very rare as they always are at this season. They begin to appear in early Feb, May March an terribly abundant. When they go at this name is a perfect mystery to me. I have however noticed that in the more extensive woodlands of the interior, about Concord for instance, there is no great diminution of these members in Dec. as with us. Cistic familiars does not I think remain pass'd the year around. Can usually find two together but this time of the year, but they are as often of the same sex as dunner. I'm cottage can seem equally much attached to one another. This habit of lifting the tail like the hanks when about to mount is peculiar: I never remember having seen any of the Picidae do it & in fact cannot recall having seen them perform that necessary act at all. With the creeper it is of singularly frequent recurrence. As I am writing this at a later date than the madam I will be with that I yesterday (Dec 13) saw a Melaespiza Palmotris and a flock of Spiz monticola in Dr. Mayman's yard. M. melodica is unusually abundant for the season. Saw one in one flock to day (Nov)
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Dec. 12 Clear with sharp breeze air. Started off at daylight with St. Dean for 6 days tramp and put up our horn at Mr. Boyant's in Dorchester. Flushed 5 grouse and a brace of quail. Shot worked well on the grouse as usual and made a number of fine points but we both shot very poorly. One grouse which we got into the open we fired Turner shots at before bringing him to bay. The quail all lit on a little oak knoll in a meadow but we proceeded in flushing only three of them again, though afterwards heard the remainder whistling in the very spot which we had beaten so carefully. I now find so many chat cases of the withholding of scent as draw some under my observation this fall, and I consider it a perfect rule that when a bird is hunted and its numbers thundered out, the grouse closely do their best to keep quiet; the more tenaciously do they retain their scent. Saw large numbers of Perisotus lucius among the birches but only two goshawks all day through we hunted one on the dry corn ground where they were so numerous on the 5th inst. Saw also a single Centrocita am. Bag: W.D. grouse 1, R.D. quail 1. Reached home by 6 P.M.
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Chrysomitis pinus Dec. 16 — 1874 Dec. 16 Clear and rather mild. In P.M., took a turn up on the farm and much to my surprise struck a large flock of C. pinus in the cedar grove. Then saw some thirty in all and they were feeding on the seeds of the Cedar berries. This is the first time that I ever found the bird here in winter. Killed 8 in 4 shots and on dissection found that it was impossible to distinguish the sexes by plumage at this season, although adults were quite readily to be separated from birds of the year. They were very tame, in fact could not be driven away from the spot & I could have rounded the whole flock. Among them was a very bright adult & Carpodacus purpureus (four individuals of which I forgot to write on the 10th inst). Saw also a fine male of Argyrotes linaria & a small flock of Pirieola behind Mt. Auburn. Heard an immature bird of this latter species trying apparently to sing and he really produced fine fin notes all of which reminded me much of those of C. purpureus. Saw a first junco a single Gardening, (doubtless the identical bird found in the same place on the 10th) and at least 30 Regulua latrapa in one flock. This species literally swarms here this winter. While standing in a grove of pines my attention was attracted by a whistling overhead and looking up I discerned a Bluebird And. flying high up in air towards the North.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 53 Dec. 26 - 1874. Dec. 26 Cloudy and mild. H. W. Bousha dropped in immediately after breakfast and getting ready as soon as possible we started for "the farm". Spent the whole forenoon in the field and had as we usually do, a very delightful congenial time. Berdy shot barn Pinicola crunkle and Aron Agiothus Liararia, the latter the first he has ever killed. I killed a Pinicola flying, and also shot a very dark Caypodacus purpureus three of which we saw in the cedar ridge. Saw also a flock of Chara jenny, a very large one of Phe. viralis, and the always present Indicus migratorius noted on the 10th. Agiothus Liararia is now abundant on that ground. We must have seen 100 in a high flock; And in this connection it occurs to me that a Colluris bionalis was sitting on a bush directly beneath the birch when they were unconcernedly feeding. Dec. 29 Cloudy and threatening with occasional light showers. Chased off cold and blustering in F. M. Rose early and started off with R. B. Nesbitt in my buggy at 6. J. Nesbitt with Mr. Carr accompanied us in another team and together we drove up as far as Silvers Hill Station in Weston where we put up the horses at at a farm house and
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Dec. 29 - 1874. Started into the woods. Hunted all day and in company until noon, when R. N. & myself became apart from the others. Traveled altogether about 20 grams and I bagged 1 the only bird killed by the party. They were unusually wild and as a rule gave us but poor chance through some good shots and missed. J. Nesbit & Cobb bagged from 3 rabbits and a gray squirrel. Our beat lay through a very wild country and on, quite into mud, abounding in large tracts of many white pine timber and dead thickets of scrub or pitch pine, saw a few flocks of Agelastus leucurus. One Pierce villous a pair of Edolopis & 5 blue jays. Reached home by 6 P.M. bags, W.B. Grooms 1. Dec. 30 Clear and cold this falling steadily all day. Wind rose early in the morning and blew furiously till the P.M., Rose at 8 1/2 A.M. and took the 6:15 to Concord Junction station. I met Jim M. and W. Buttrick by appointment. George Deider was to come up on the express hour later but as he did not meet in an apparance we took a way train on the Nashua & Acton and getting off at Bobbins Mills brat back to Concord by way of
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Buffed Grouse Shooting 55 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) Dec. 30 - 1874 1874. 50 acre meadow the Perkin lot &c. Had a very fine days sport putting up 48 grouse and bagging 9. A tenth was first through the field and towered to a great height falling dead within a hundred yds. of us but we were utterly unable to find it though we worked both dogs over the ground a great many times. We found many of our birds on very open ground and had a number of good shots which were missed. O found 27 & give 24 shots. One bird was distinctly seen to light in a thick pine but our utmost efforts failed to either discern or dislodge him; he probably settled in some thick clump among the branches & conscious of his security remained then perfectly motionless. I punted shot as usual and got a few steady points though his skin seemed not so good as usual. Saw a few Redpolls and a single Pica's villians. (I forgot to note under Dec 28 a Curvirostra bennethura and a g Accipiter Cooper both of which I saw flying over on my train during this day.) Our bag to day was W.B. Grouse 4 (-19) J.C.M. Grouse 8 (+2) W. Buttrick Grouse 2 (-2) After a good dinner given by Fine at the Middlesex, (I took the 6.34 train home.)
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56 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. -1875- Jan. 18 - 1875 Jan. 18 Cloudy and very cold. Here at Dennis 4: Row Net 6 and getting a slight breakfast set off for a collecting tramp. Walked up to "the farm" and climb back on the car reaching the house by 10 A.M. Shot 11 birds: the best Piniola linnelator 1 adt 8-10, Oby. junes 1, C. tristis 5, Aeg. virica 2, Pas. Patriapa 1. The two Piniolas were the only ones seen. On the cedar grew found numerous traces of Owls and one feather from the abdomen of N. Acacida, and near the brook I came upon a little heap of feathers when some bird of prey had devoured a Rhe. Nivalis; about nothing but the feathers remained but in a "pellet" lying a foot or two away I identfied the whole bill of a Piniola linnelator. Such large bills would be hardly likely I should suppose to fall a prey to The owl above named by the spots of ferment lying on the trees around wise of so small a piece as to suggest a bird of about that size as the murderer. Saw also a Single Carpsed Fuscescens, and three Coloptosaurus. I shot all of the junits (8 species) birds) at one shot as they were feeding on some tall weeds which overtopped the snow. I saw Eby, junes on several places but they all I think make the cedar ridge their rendezvous. Heard a 3 Aeg. sing. Noticed a Carthia familiaris taking large quantities of snow from jetsoms which had frozen on to the bark of linden tree. Then there has fallen to 0 every night for 10 days past.
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Jan 23 - 1875. Jan 23 Clear and cold this falling to 0° in the morning as it has done every night for the last three weeks. Spent the forenoon in the house, labelling my skins etc. Immediately after breakfast started for M. Walton's but my thick hairless made an appointment for a tramp with Curtis. Found him all ready so we set out immediately for the woods. Found the walking extremely hard as the old snow underneath was badly crushed but we stuck at it till dark nevertheless, and must have walked some four or five miles. I enjoyed myself very much as the country is a new one to me and wretched very beautiful in its spotted robe of newly fallen snow. Shot 11 birds in all: 6 Aeg. lin. 3 Skry. prunus 1 Cay. cristata & 2 Certina. Chry. prunus is unmistakably resident this winter. They appear to differ slightly in notes from the Oct. migrants and are very dark in plumage. We saw 4 the day and when I fired into them three falling, tho Cassiekin one remained hopping about his dead companions with much chirping trying to induce them to answer him. He was so tame that I merely caught him in my hand puffing and wounded. The Aeg. linaria was in large flocks feeding on the brich reeds (of the corn). We heard one male give his full & Spring song a sweet gushing lilt trill, running quickly up the
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"Cyanus migratorius" Jan. 23 - 1875- Feb. He also saw large numbers of Robins and at one place at least 30 flying through the oak woods in a close body. They were very shy and silent. On the way back just at sunset a Shrike came gliding out of the woods ahead in fierce pursuit of a Goldfinch (2) but through I watched them through numerous doubling until out of sight I did not see the sequel. The Cyanura was killed under rather peculiar circumstances: it darted into a small thick pine at our approached from which it was impossible to dislodge it, and quite as impossible to get a good enough light for and a quick shot; as it moved its position a few feet every time I got my eye on it, scoundrel me most forcibly of that gray speckled murder under grander circumstances. At length however I shot it as it sat not ten yards from the muzzle of the gun). In an older swamp we found the tracks of a burg of 6 quail death closely following one of a man and dog & further on "5 miserables" the intrusion in the dead ground by blood and feathers where one had met his death at the hand of some poaching hot hunter. The body is now about 9 inches on the limb and the striking very firm and fine. The long continuance of the great cold snap" is something quite unparalleled.
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Sunday Jan.24 Jan. 24 - 1875 Cloudy with a slight fall of snow in the afternoon). Started immediately after dinner to drive ours to R. Smith's in Brooklyns. While passing the Water farm saw a flock of about a dozen J. migratorius among the cedars beyond the brook. I have seen only a single bird (which appeared to be locally resident) then before this winter and probably then our arrivals have been driven from some long winter retreat by a scarcity of food. When frequent stormy winter storms prevail all birds, even those whose food is of such a nature as to be in no danger of decomposition, seem stimulated to great restlessness and activity and the great anxiety with regard to their necessary subsistence is plainly manifested. For Brooklyns I saw two large flocks of finches probably one comprising at least 80 individuals, but detected no red ones among them. Jan.25 Fine and cold with high wind. Took a ride up the turnpike to Belmont in P.W. Saw two large flocks of Plee. girvalis on the road feeding amongst droppings of the horses. They were so tame that I merely drove over them and could not be forced to leave the road. Jan.26 Clear and cold. Saw a Mr. Muldoe in Brighton hailing on the threshold of a stable.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 60 1875 Jan. 27 - 1875- Jan. 27 Clear and cold. Ten 10° at dinner. Off after breakfast striking up on the farm. Shot five Common bird all on the vines killing them principally for practice though I shall see the differences. Made on good doubt shot at a pair of finch finches, the others were two J. monticola and (illegible) goshawk. Saw a flock of at least 30 Robin on the farm and found their droppings everywhere in the snow. They feed at this season entirely on the buds of aborrent vegetations and will not attack the asparagus until later when the berries become infected by the alternate thawing and freezing. Shot also two Coturnix arundum and a Carpodacus purpureus, date in P. M. drove up to Mr. Maynards and that way saw a large flock of Snow Buntings in the road as I noted on Monday 28th. While at his house a Christa suddenly appeared and attacked most furiously a birch redpoll which was left out in a trap cage for a decor, but he quickly left it and then Mr. Greenwood appeared with a gun and though shot at, escaped. Jan. 28 Clear and till 11 A.M. Heavy clouds came to gather and by 4 P.M. it was snowing fast. After breakfast took a drive through Waltham to Woja
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Middlury Co., Mass. 61 MASS. (Midway Co.) 1875 Jan. 28 As the Boyman Place in Waltham hoping to gett some red grosbeaks. At the foot of Belmont hill I got a shot at a lightish colored adult o' which with one in the slaty jibmage was feeding on the berries of the back thorn bushes, but unaccountably missed them both although they were within easy range and sitting clos together. Saw no more grosbeaks during the forenoon though at our place I tied my horse and took a tramp of a half mile or so among the cedars. Robins are very other. I saw them at three points and in one spot (foot of Flag Staff hill) as many as 50 now sitting about on the Apple trees or chasing on another in wanton playfulness! The attraction here consists in a small chump of the backthorns on which charitably black berries they must subsist almost entirely. This affords over of them birds in such numbers at so early a date, and especially at the very height of the present un- precedented cold period, must be ranked among those mysterious phenomena of bird migrations about which it is worse than useless to devise or conjecture. That there were no more that a few isolated individuals or small companies of them through this section at the beginning of the present month I am certain now the county is swarming with them, indicates
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62 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Jan. 28 I heard on among a large flock warbling a few practising strains in: an undertone as they are wont to do at this season, were checked by the feath brows of our wintery Sun, and it seemed to me that he needed only a few kind words of encouragement to burst forth into his bold singing April Song; perhaps some governing Spirit abroad among them had issued his "Stem commands that no such unseasonal revelry should be indulged in, and these youngsters though unable to entirely suppress their exuberance of spirits put a check on their list movements fearful of the they might incur the displeasure of their elders. I noticed in the beginning of the winter that the cedar berries but a scant supply of berries and to day on examination I find that nine tenths of the trees have been entirely stripped of them by the wintery birds. I have been accustomed to consider the extent of this crop an approximate indication of the numbers of grosbeaks robins and cedar birds which might be expected during the winter months, but the experience of this season has convinced me that little if any reliance can be placed on this sign. I have seen heretofore that also confident that the severity of individual winters has no bearing whatever; as for instance in the present season the prevalence of snow & cold which might have brought the grosbeaks South would likely bring the robins North at nearly alike.
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Ensivirostra lenoptera 63 Jan. 31 - 1875. Jan. 31 Blondy with light snowfall in T.W. Three Ensivirostra lenoptera (2 ? / 2) saw seen by R. Dean this morning sitting on [illegible] cedar top in Dr. Walh's yard opposite our place. With the exception of a single flume noted by me in Dec. then are the first seen in this locality this winter. Under date of Jan. 27 I made a note of a Shrike which I saw attack a cage bird at Mr. Maynard's place. The next day (Jan. 28) cage and bird being in [illegible] place Ms. M. saw a Shrike appear and again try to get at the confined bird (an Argethus linaria) In the course of its fluttering around the case it discovered the trap door and immediately intersey set free the spindie and became @ itself a prisoner; Running out to secure his prize what was his astonishment at finding that he had captured a typical C. Lendocicams? This afternoon I went up with R. Dean to see the novelty, and while them we introduced into his box a lin tree Sparrow which was almost instantly attacked by the Bird and by a quick blow on the back of the skull knocked to the floor of the cage where its fair assalant pinned it firmly down gripping its neck firmly in his powerful beak; Soon after holding it a moment he released his hold and the Sparrow fluttered off apparently
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Colliers Londoxcans in Mass. Jan. 31 - 1875 unbrest, and during the remainder of the time it remained in the case was regarded by him with the utmost in difference. As he had already eaten two bird (an introduced elk) that day we concluded that lack of appetite was the cause of his apparent apathy. In the assault above described no use whatsoever was made of his fat or claws. Feb. 7 The beginning of the past week was much warmer than any period since the year came in. Monday Feb. 1st the weather moderated very rapidly and on tuesday the mercury for the above the freezing point for the first time in our four weeks, Wednesday morning was washed in by a cloudy sky and a warm S. wind the ther standing at 42° by noon, and at two P.M. a heavy rain storm commenced which lasted through the succeeding night and reduced the snow about 2/3 or from 12 inches to 4 do. The next day dawn it became cold again and to day has been one of the darkest of this whole extraordinary winter, the maximum temperature for the day being only 7°. In P.M. down to Brookline called on Astor Smith and afterwards on Mr. Diamond a gentleman with whom I have been negotiating for a small
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Middletown Co., Mass. 65 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Feb. 7 gull, which through resemblin superficially B. Bonaparte differs in several important characteristics, especially in having the tail decidedly imarginate, and which may prove something good, perhaps a [illegible], of which I can find no description. clarifying the immature plumage. This specimen was shot by Mr. D. in Boston harbor Sept - 1874. It was sitting on a mass of floating beaved it was very tame inasmuch as the sail boat containing the party can by it within a few rods before it was discovered. It was holding in its bill a small crab apple and when fired at and wing struck made its way off along the surface with such celerity that it was with difficulty secured. Mr. Diamond expressing a perfect willingness to exchange the [illegible] worth one for a few brightly colored small birds, I brought it home with me. Feb. 9 Clear and very cold. Thur. 8° below 0 at 10 P.M. Went into Boston immediate after breakfast and seeing Mr. Damfort by appointment took the cars out to Fynch Park together. The object of our visit was to get an opportunity if possible to examine the collection of stuffed birds which belonged to the late James Catley the well known
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66 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875, Feb.9 Ornithological section who died last week (Vide pamph. life of J. G. with enclosed portrait). After some slight demur on the part of Mr. Twitchell in whose keeping they were, we effected our purpose and gained admittance to the town hall where the collections are temporarily stored. The major part of the collection consisted of mounted birds and mammals, most tastefully grouped in glass cases. For the most part they were arranged by families each family occupying a separate tray or case. These positions though replete with bold originality of designs, lacked in most instances generalness of pose and delicacy of finish. Still as a whole this work was far superior to that of the average taxidermist and many few of his efforts are really masterpieces. Exotic species were so truly mixed with native in these cases that it was so difficult to judge of his success as a local collector but I noticed the following species which were unquestionably taken by him in this place. Porzana marboracensis 2 pair; Cot. Hemispori one; And. Castanea at least a dozen; Op. Egilis one fall pl; Astur atricapillus (adult female chicks in nest the latter possibly of other provenance) etc. Besides these mounted species there are also some 50 skins about half indigenous species. Among his books the only ornithological authority was a very dilapidated copy of Wilson
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Ampelis cedrosus) Feb. 10 - 1875 Weather moderated slightly to day with clear sky and very little wind. Took a trip up on the farm late in P.M. finally to see the sunset from my favorite little hill, the cedar ridge. Saw absolutely nothing of importance among the birds with the exception of a medium sized hawk I think B. Virgatus which I started near the brook. On an old stump I found numerous droppings etc. of a partridge (B. umbellus) that has haunted this locality all winter. Robins were rather numerous and I saw three prospecting a little among the asparagus berries. Have twice lately seen a Bitta Canadensis in our linden tree. He was in company with a few chickadees and Kinglets and so I am now the 4th individual that I observed in the same place sometime in Oct. or Nov. 18 Clear and cold. The 6° at sunrise. This has been the most severe winter known for many years. Since the new year came in we have had only two morning when the mercury stood above 10°. The whole of Long Island Sound, Mass. Bay etc. are frozen tight. One would imagine that such unparalleled season would be characterized by numerous unique phenomena of bird migration etc. but such not seem the case at least to any noticeable extent. Yesterday I saw the flock of about 20 Ampelis cedrosus). They were feeding
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"A characteristic winter scene" Feb. 18 - 1875 in company with robins on the asparagus bed just above Mr. J. Birds in Watertown; then we the first hour through a flock of 30 was seen by C. G. Maynard in Newtonville on the 10th inst. This morning I took the car to Mt. Auburn and struck off on to the farm for a forenoon tramp. The day though cold was still and clear and all the birds noticed were particularly cheery and active. I first came across a small company of juncos and killed them at a shot! The rusty profuse edging of the feathers is about half torn off or to put it in a nut shell the plumage is midway between the autumnal and breeding stages. Some of the males were singing in chorus as if. As I came up behind the cedar ridge a perfect din of bird voices struck my ear and passing cautiously through the trees I looked down upon a most characteristic assemblage of our winter birds. The sun lay warmly in that sheltered little valley giving a most marked contrast with the bleak wind swept hill top I had just left. Sitting upon the apple tree was at least 50 robins while fluttering over the asparagus sprays were as many more of the same species, while the air was continually filled with individuals coming and going. On the left under the cedar was a chattering merry band of tree sparrows, and the occasional scream of a jay or loud call of the flicker came from the oak wooded beyond. The trees were very noisy, calling continually to
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Tricolored orchard oriole. Feb. 18 - 1875 one another and at frequent intervals some of the younger birds would break out in that practicing strain of song peculiar to the season. Several times I caught a fragment of the true glorious fine rapid warbles and once a male sang loudly and boldly several times in succession. Among the evergreens behind me my attention was next attracted by a crackling sound the authors of which I soon detected to be a little company of Carduelis purpureus dry in number which were feeding on the cedar berries. Only one among them was in the full red plumage. While watching this most interesting scene, a flock of about a dozen jays broke some whirling overhead and lighted near me. I had a good view of them and noticed that they were all in the immature plumage, and my surprise and delight was greater when the next moment one of them (I could not identify the individual) broke out into a loud, rapid, and most beautiful song; again and again was this repeated until the whole valley rang with his wild powerful notes, and when they ceased at last and the flock departed as suddenly as it came the place seemed to swell at once its attraction to me and all the interest which had attached to the other and better known species was gone. This song which I had never heard before was very like the best efforts of Carduelis purpureus, and
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 70 MASS (Wild Birds) 1875. Feb. 18 like it very rapid and abounding in static feeling, but in variety and compass it much excelled, and with all due allowance for the romantic charm of worthy, I think it must be considered as one fine performance. Many of its passages are quite undistinguishable from those of its better known analogues, but at times it burst out in a perfect abandon of wild sweet harmony quite beyond the powers of description. Whether this was really the finished and characteristic song of the lore season or not, I have no dreams at present of knowing, but judging from analogy (and analogy is often deceptive as Darwin says) I should be certainly inclined to consider it so. Some time by way of fresh food when a half frozen fisherman showed me among his other captures the first white perch I was examined. It is not at all rare in that body of water but has always persistently eluded me. Saw also C. tristis & C. linaria, Robins were very common abundant and wishing for a specimen or two I shot down four in five shots as they flew by one, the miss being the first attempt when as so often happens I got behind him. Sired both barbs at a fine adult B. lineata which passed me at long range and wounded him very badly as shown by his subsequent flight and removal of large feathers which came floating back to shore with.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 71 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Feb.24 The last week has been warm and pleasant, and the snow and ice are going rapidly. In fact the 'backbone of winter' seems to be 'broken' at least. Cedar birds are now very few but are not very numerous. Feb. 19th I saw an immature Pied-billed Grebe in Govold's which had been captured alive on the ice in The harbor. Feb.22 saw a fine adult (or nearly so) Cuthrin Grea at Mt. Adam. 26 Alternately cloudy and clear with a violent N.N.W. wind. Yst, 26° at Senias. The snow and ice have almost entirely disappeared and the fields are brown and bare again; Started off for a tramp this morning taking favorite winter range 'the farm' etc. Found birds very scarce in fact saw hardly anything except the most characteristic species. Had one little adventure having waded a brook below the cedar ridge had overflowed its banks to such an extent that the whole picturesque little valley to which it flows was converted into a miniature lake many of the willows and other trees standing in water four or six feet deep. While creeping along the edge of this little lake in the faint hope of surprising a sheldrake or golden eye in some of the many little pools formed by the clumps of bushes and irregularities of the shore, my attention was attracted by a black object.
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Midldexy Co., Mass. 72 MASS. (Middlexax Co.) 1875 Feb. 26 which came cutting across a small apparatus of open water under the shadow of a large willow tree. Thinking it a mink I remained motionless until it with some difficulty crawled out upon the ice which margined the shore, and within gunshot of my position, when I discovered much to my surprise that my mink was nothing else than a large star nosed mole (Condylura cristata) which had probably been drowned out of his subterranean abode, and in the full blaze of the mid-day sun was con- fusedly seeking another congenial retreat. After watching it for a few moments I fired and shot it. Fired only one Shot during the forenoon - at a flock of Phe. Pheasants of which I knewed over four. They were feeding in the furrow of a ploughed field and it was interesting to see them creep at me over the ridge of a furrow then withdraw from sight behind its protecting walls and the next instant appear again perhaps 100 ft. off Upon picking up my specimens I was much surprised to find that two birds out of the four had the hind- and some of the other - toe nails produced to a most surprising length & in one specimen these were twisted slightly and attenuated at several places till it seemed wonderful that they had not been broken off. In addition to this furlal of the two in each bird were excessively swollen, but probably
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Middlsex Co., Mass. 73 1875 1/6.26 having been frozen during the recent cold period, Dr V.M. mounted my Condylura and was much interested in dissecting him. The eyes were exceedingly minute, not larger than --- and were simply attached to the inside of the skin and lying on a layer of muscle without the slightest apparent socket and when the skin was turned over the skull coming off with it. The ears (internally) are very perfectly developed. The body was well laid in fat and the swollen rotundity of the tail was due entirely to a large mass of that substance which was attached to surrounded the caudal vertebrae. Sep 8. Saw a bright pair of Carpodacus purpureus but no Pinicola; the last of that species noted was observed on the 22nd inst. March 2 Cloudy and rather warm. Had a very snow storm yesterday about ten inches falling, and lying in sarsa and drift which coated one the surface so firmly that I much fear the quail have had to suffer. Took a turn up on the farm this morning after breakfast. Among the cedars found the largest flock of purple finches that I have seen this winter at least 80 individual. I think they must have worked up to us from the S. Among them now two fine grosbeaks
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74 March 2 and the whole company was actively engaged in feeding upon the cedar berries for the seeds contained therein. The Pinicidas after a while left the flock and lighting on a sadly frightened mine commenced operating on its bright scarlet breast turning back three or in their bills until the seeds were forced out and saved. While thus engaged I got within a few feet of them and had a fine chance to watch this operation. About 3 o'clock were feeding upon the asparagus bed but no Ampelis was observed, indeed I haven't seen one for a long time. Heard several Spi. noticola singing and came across a little company of Groos feeding among some weeds, the males all keeping up that constant twitter and liquid undertone chattering peculiar to this season of this gregarious habits. Saw a few small flocks of Phleotrophanes but they was not numerous as I had expected to find them. I think the major part of the Pinicidas have left us and I am informed by a letter from N.C. Brown that he is also the case at Portland Me. A few struggling companies of Acisthus were flying about and I shot two of them on a long-flying shot. Killed also a few adult 3 Carphodacens and got back to the house by 12 M. seeing another grasshopper on the way.
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March 16 — 1875 The weather for the past two weeks has been most disagreeable. Still Easterly rain storms succeeded by fog and thaw with but an occasional sunny day. The thr has hitherto been above the freezing point nearly all this time and the ground is now bare in many places. The last skights were seen out on the 13th. On that day I saw four Pimelias in our birdseed and on the 15th a single bird (probably the last for this season). On the 14th (Sunday) Song Sparrows (at least two individuals) were singing in our garden and in the afternoon I heard another chanting regularly in Mr. Donalds Apple Mt. Auburn. I am not sure that they were arrivals indeed (rather opine) that they were resident birds but they were actually singing and not practicing. Have seen these older birds but once since last noted — in our yard when I noticed a small flock, setting on an elm overhanging Sparks St. This P.M. though the weather was dark & lowering I took my gun and strolled up to the farm where I met several "rapper" ornithologists with long barrel guns and small bird clothing baskets, whose enthusiastic boy talk and simple outfit reminded me both sadly and forcibly of happy days long past and firm friends now widely distant or in at least one instance
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76 March 16 MIDDLESEX CO., MASS. went before their time into that Spirit World which is to be the final resting place of all mortal beings. After gazing pleasantly awhile we started and I got back by dark having shot nothing saw a pair of redstarts, I find the crimson of their foreheads is fast intensifying with the advance of the season. They make now sing at all times of the day and the species is as plentifully separated here as ours. March 22 The last two days of last week (19th to 20th) were cold and Monday about 6 inches of snow falling Saturday, this morning the ther. stood @ 5° at Sunrise but by 9 A.M. it was about [illegible] but the snow did not thaw at all during the day except where directly exposed to the sun's many rays. Left immediately after breakfast taking my usual winter route through the farm I saw nothing of importance until I approached the cedar ridge when pausing a moment to listen before I stepped out through the trees I suddenly caught sight of a large bird approaching and standing perfectly motionless, the craft instant he was within ten yards of me and fell a victim to easy hiking charge of just shot at not over fifteen paces. It proved an immature S. Bortus himatus, a bird of the year I think; the ovaries were
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Middletown, Mass. 77 1875. March 22. Scarcely more developed than in the intestine and the stomach perfectly empty though the bird was in good condition quite fat indeed. Here I also shot a red cedar bird (which solitary and alone) was again feeding on cedar berries) and watched for some time a spined grosbeak. The latter bird was also seen yesterday by A.D. but no numbers of them had been reported for rural parks. Keeping on up the brook to the "Arsenal Woods" I came across a little band of chickadees and golden crests and was rather surprised to hear one of the latter singing for some time loud with considerable vigor. I have seldom heard them sing while with me, and always so early in the season as this. While watching the sprightly little chap's a dark shadow glided across the path and looking up I caught a glimpse of a crow just disappearing among the pines. I fired my heavy dust charge after him with no other effect than the vast shower of pine needles which was cut off by the shot. Carelessly putting in another charge of light shot but a few moments elapsed until the episode was again repeated when suspecting that I was in the line of a flight of these birds I loaded with No 8 and keeping my eye about me soon get a fine chance and nailed
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78 MASS (PUBL CO.) 1875 March 22 Yalco Ilandicus (?) — March 22 — 1875 — my bird, but though I watched them [illegible] longer could not get another. shot. The crows how I think begun to arrive from the S. as I have seen members during the last few days. Soon after this I fell in with a flock of 13 Angulis cedronus and killed 10 of them in two shots; singularly enough not one out of the whole number was possessed of the wapon appendages. Starting across the fields from this point to intercept the Metrom horse car, my attention was attracted by a large hawk which [illegible] rising over the oak woods to the West of me and to my surprise as soon as he came out into full view he appeared entirely white but in his subsequent circlings as he gained high overhead the dorsal surface was frequently exposed and looked marly black or spotted with black. I decided with some little hesitation to be one of the gyr-falcons, was Ilandicus (probably), though the whole under surface appeared immaculate, as in our candicans. The hypothesis of its being an albino Butes which at first presented itself to my thoughts, is improbable, as the general contour of the bird was different — longer wings and tail, and flight, with alternate quick nervous strokes of the wings alternated with short intervals of sailing as with A. Cooperi.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 79 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 March 22 P.m. are almost preconcertibly short spaces of time he faded from my sight miles away in the blunder when last seen appearing like a snow flake in the distance. The Boreos proved a 3 with the testes swollen to nearly if not quite the maximum size: the stomach was filled with cedar berries and a few larvae. Have not seen Chry. junius for a month or more. Papulus patrapal also been quite scarce at about the same date Eight Caw. Am. new shot in W. Newton last week by a friend of Warrens, and that same gentleman (Warren) Edmund's had a ship (Col. Wilson) brought to him alive. It was found by some boys "with the bill frozen into the mud". York male Curs. leucostoma were seen by R. Dean, Feb. 21st. They hit only a cage on this balcony which over a case which contained and Lin Aegithus linaria. Saw about half a dozen Pardulus migratorius to day: they almost entirely displace preced with the cedar birds from than one's since, A Phe. Lappsonis was taken at Chelsea about two weeks ago (Goodale) and another nearly the same time at Portland Camp (Say) Sialia sialis has been frequently reported of late but I can get no authentic record of its arrival.
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80 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 March 29 - 1875 Mar 29 Cedar warm and perfectly still. During the past week we have had several a preponderance of warm sunny weather and the fields are now about half bare again and the sods drying up in places. Took a tramp over the farm this morning with indifferent success shooting in all 7 cedar birds a Colaptes (flying orbed) and a Certhia Am. Heard four or five bluebirds warbling in the vicinity of the cedar ridge; they are the first I have seen though C.F.W. noted a 8 on the 26th and large numbers on the succeeding day, Colaptes and I think more numerous. I heard one singing regularly for first time. Heard also a flock of Cerivista Am. among some pines but was unable to get a light at them. They are undoubtedly working up from the S as I have not seen any since Dec 17th. Saw numbers of barred finchpurs and think some new and comers. The male sang several times in that delicious wood thrush brooms heard at this season. Mel melodica was singing in many places but they are by no means numerous as yet; I may have heard ten or twelve altogether. Saw Argiothus linaria in immense flocks; they were feeding among the apple trees for the first time this after year and the males sang almost continually. While waiting for the cars I heard over by the fence the battle of Molothrus pecoris & son spied the bird a solitary 8 sitting on an apple tree. While at C.F.W. in Newtonville yesterday, we saw a flock of 10 Ruiculus purpureus
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N. phoeniceus et S. ferrugineus et P. Davanna et [illegible] MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 81 March 30 - 1875 Mar. 30 Air still and almost uncomfortably warm). Off after breakfast taking the horn up to Brazier's and striking them down over the farm. Had miserably poor luck getting only one shot, at a P. Davanna which I bagged. Saw 4 cedar birds all fly as hawks, the remnant probably of some used up flock. Song sparrows have about doubled in numbers since yesterday, and Decotthus linaria decreased in a corresponding ratio. Most of our juncoes & tree sparrows have left and no crorms have yet come in from the S. The thrushes are both much wanting. Heard a number of Chry. tristis in full song for the first time. Chulbrids are as yet comparatively scarce). Reclining under the lee of the cedar ridge for a quiet smoke I found the air almost uncomfortably (warm). All sorts of insects but principally Coleoptera et diptera were moving about I also saw the little Camias Striata both yesterday and this morning. Arrivals noted this morning are Herundo brictor, 2 mas Wtm. Arneol, Scot. ferrugineus gen. a. on flock 20; N. phoeniceus several's singing near the batt marsh: Pae Davanna rich bird shot. The change from winter to spring has passed with almost unparallelled rapidity: a week ago the snow was only at 0° and then one a foot deep - today the ground two thirds bare and Swallows Blackbirds etc. with us. Took a ride up
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82 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 March 30. Pas. iliaca Middlesex Co., Mass. March 30 - 1875 Through Wamsley and Belmont this P.M. At “the Willows” found S. ferrugineus and A. phoeniceus in abundance the latter singing everywhere over the broad meadow. On the way back saw a single Pas. iliaca by the roadside. April 2 The warmest day we have had, 75° 64° at noon with light E. wind. Off after breakfast striking up into the swamps, [illegible] and taking “Shot” with me. Near the reservoir heard a Sayornis fusca the first. In the fields at the foot of the lane found a large flock of Pas. hudsonia and heard one of them sing faintly. Approaching the brick yard swamps I found them fairly swarming with birds, Mel. melodia singing from every bush, A. phoeniceus fluttered about everywhere and in one little thickset a few Spiz. monticola in full song among them a single Pas. iliaca which occasionally sang a few hurried snatches of his wild rich song. Afterward in another place I heard our singing with full power. While watching and listening in this place I saw a bird come straight for me with direct & steady flight. I took it for a field sparrow but as it came within range I pulled on it and missed Chase with one barrel - the other cartridge missing fire - then as it turned back with a hoarse familiar scarp, scarp I recognized at once
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Gallinago Wilsonii, Say; fuscus et Bergh slegg April 2 and — 1875— our long looked for friend the Wilson snipe. Marking it down behind Phil, Dorothy? I started for the spot but are I got with 200 yds it was off again I out of sight. Shortly after I got up two mon near the dam place both hiding out of range going off unshot at though I had just walked by within 15 ft. of when one of them had been lying, though the sight of these familiar favorites was most welcome I am entirely at a loss to account for this appearance so early in the season. Not the most shutland spring hole is as yet fairly thawed out of the meadow patches when they lay were as hard as rocks, the tigles have not yet commenced their merry jumping the Snibids have been with us near a week and on short cut a single titer has Nature as yet given that the was ready for their presence. May they not play dearly for this bashness. Among the tussocks when the second bird rose I found a few feathers and droppings but they were gentle fresh and I have every reason to believe that all them had just dropped in to this old haunt of theirs. Continuing my walk up as far as the fern finding what was my longer long confirmation, to find this old favourite resort of mine nearly unrecognizable, completely obliterated in fact. For the woodchopper had
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84 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 April 2 been but too briskly at work and the entire graph grove which surrounds the farm was levelled to the earth and arranged in melancholy (to me) piles of cord wood. My disgust was further in some degree prolfied by the discovery that it had become an even more congenial haunt of the Blackbirds than of yore. All these species were then feeding briskly among the brush ferns and I limited my contribution on the nesties to the extent of two specimens (2 319). On the way back saw a Beryl Aleyan or Alder's brook and fired a flying shot at him without success. I forgot to mention that I saw a pair of Humdros Breslor about my bores this morning. Nurs in all my experience have I known the Bird come so suddenly and in such numbers as this spring. The fields are now nearly bare but the snow lies deep corruption in the woods and the meadows are still covered with thick, albeit rotten, snow ice. Robins began to appear about the gardens yesterday and to day are abundant. At twilight this evening they were singing all about our house and I recognized in one with a rather wheepy voice bird old acquaintance that has visited on farm a number of summers. A Song Sparrow also which has bred in Mr. Chates yard for the five past summers (which I know at once by X) a peculiarity of song affound among the first to now sing regularly in this program.
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R. gramineus at Stambula magna April 6th - 1875 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Apr. 6 Clear and a lovely day with bracing N. wind. Strolled up through the fields, flying in the forenoon spending much of the time pecking in the dew listening to the birds. Arivals were Stambula magna 1, Poecetes gramineus 13 singing. My feet being badly chafed and my worn I was unable to walk much and shot only one bird a P. Iovama. In Gray's woods saw a little company of Bayard, Juncipensus, the adult males singing in a low undertone. Heard a Carolina Lin. sing a number of times; its song though short is quite sweet and pleasing. Antifera butterflies were out in force for the first time, but I am confident that not a single boyla has as yet sighted in this locality as I have listened for them very early morning. C. J. Goddard reports 20 Drige started at Chelsea on the 2nd instant. April 7 Clear and a fine day though with a cold N. wind. Off after breakfast walking the car to the Arsenal woods. saw very little of interest. In a brushy swale near the Arsenal were Fernal Pas. Ulica and a Saw-f. them regarded me for some time with his peneguald melody; the song of this bird in every species surpasses that of any N.A. Bird I have ever heard. It is replete with rich and plaintively wild sentiment. Did not bring from a single specimen of any kind.
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Concord River Bernicle Can April 8th 1875 Apr. 8 A clear beautiful morning - cloudy by noon - heavy storm in P.M. with rain & snow. Row at 6.30 and with C.W. Carter took the 6.15 train to Concord. Found Jim at the Court house and spent a few minutes talking with him. Then proceeding to Sted. Buttricks we got Jim's boat and headed down river. On the Great Meadows saw a few ducks but did not get a shot. Then we went ashore and brushed the boat. Proceeding on our way we passed Ball's hill and seeing what we took for a whistler (Blue) in the river below I took the paddle and following the boat very slowly and carefully as approached within 30 yds when Charlie shot him dead as he sat on the water. What was our surprise upon picking him up to find that we had killed a finch bon, in adult plumage. He was the smallest bird I ever saw and weighed only 6 oz. though in good condition. As the boat (brushed with Jim's broghe) approached he turned and drew directly for it (probably taking it for an island). A little below this place we found ducks very abundant. The water was all one the meadows and extended back into the woods and paddling through the thickets we passed from on little lake into another, some of them very beautiful with thin shores of thichly growing sorghums. Got only one shot at ducks - a long on at two distinguished Charlie find and missed. We also find
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Pandion Bar, Spiz. sociola, Mel. jaohstris 87 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) April 10 - 1875. Middlesex Co., Mass. April 8. all four barrels at a Buntis branch which cann also written Long Range). Saw then Muscus Amea, about fifty Acres of Osura, a dozen Buckphala Am and large flocks of teal (Mr. unrecognised) After eating branch it commenced snowing and we started back against a fine gale of sleet and Snows and after a hard two hours Saw reached town again. On the way up saw several large flocks of black ducks sitting on an elevated portion of the meadow. As we approached they would stand nearby erect with necks stretched up: among them was a very light colored bird of equal size which I think was a Q mallard. Shot the Pll. in the Bunt horn with gun and others and took the last train homed. Saw a flock off B.Can. Apr 10 Clear and a fine day, Wind W. Sun. 60° at noon? Off after breakfast with Messrs. Reid, Barston and Strithingham. Started two trips in the brickyard meadows one of which I shot, I think they are the same birds that I saw on the 2nd inst. Beat all the Belmont meadows but found nothing. Arrived won Pandion Bar. 1; Mel. jaohstris Amul &5; Spizella sociola 1 & Virgin. Reached the home by moon. The snow is almost entirely gone only a few wasted drifts remaining in sheltered places. The frost is said to be entirely out on the mainland but the meadows yet remain hard in many places, Rendl Boyle.
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Sprig Junceilla, Regulus Calen, Dend Pina Middlesex Co., Mass. 88 1875. Sunday Apr. 11 Clear and warm. This 60° at noon. After breakfast walking out in the garden was much surprised to hear a Sprig Junceilla trilling his beautiful cold notes from our brush pile. Heard also the first full cry of the junco finch. In P.M. drove up to see Mr. Maynard and saw another S. Junceilla at his place. He saw Dend Pina [a S singing] this P.M. and had a Sprig Regulus Calendula on the 4th mist. A single Mdl. Galastrie was shot by J.Warm at West Newton on the Apr. 12 Cloudy with chill & wind. Off after dinner striking up through the Meadows. In the "Backyard meadow" started a Sprig which Shot [pointed] handsomely and killed him at the second shot. It was the same bird that he left there Sot. and the fifth corner where he lay was all marked up with his markings. Continuing on up to the Pine Swamp found then a very large flock of musties and shot on a S. At the report of the gun two hours (N.Gardner) started from the James. I afterwards put out them once but they came very shy and I did not get a shot: Their after devotion to this old haunt is most remarkable. Now I also shot a fine Sprig Dend. Galastrie and a pair of Sicile Melis; of then catter I killed the S first, when one
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D palmarum at Nye Garden Habits of Scot. ferrugineus Apr. 12 - 1875 Middletown, Mass. march with affecting ostentation came dashing down at me and snapped his bill angrily within a foot or two of my head until he too, "o miserabile dieter" met the like fate. Saw also a pair of Argiothus laniaria (shot one of them) and two Mil. Palustris (also one shot). Met Nat. Nesbitt who had started a pair of Woodcock and a bag of 10 quail in Belmont. Assails were! Nye, Garden's 5; (seen last night by R. Dean) Bend. palmarum 18. The flock of Scot. ferrugineus was a very large one at least 150 individ. They fed among the brush piles and dense thickets along the edge of the swamp hopping in and out among the fallen tops and debris like rosemary mice. All were on the ground at once, no sentinels being posted. Upon being alarmed the whole body would rise up into the neighboring trees and set up a most infernal clatter, every bird apparently making as much noise as he could. On the ground they were invariably silent; a low chuck of recognition when two met being at most the only sound uttered. While feeding they were quite tame, in the tree tops the reverse. A large flock of Bivola (ornatus) seen flying overhead yesterday (R. Dean) & J. Jeff visited a flock at Concord on the 8th inst.
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90 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. April 16 - 1875 Apr. 16 Upon the morning of the 13th inst it commenced snowing and the storm raged with unabated violence through that day and the preceding night, and when it at length ceased on the next morning at least twelve inches had fallen on the land and the drifts in many places were very deep. Altogether it was as violent a storm so we had at any time during the winter. Yesterday the ther did not rise much above 40° So that little impression was made on the snow, This morning after breakfast I set out for a tramp striking up our th "Mtn. farm" I found the snow very deep especially in the woods and the walking hard. Saw several D. june all 8 and Call singing. They were seen at Newton last Sunday. Among the cedars was a flock of Pss which the 8 sing's most exquisitely. In the apple orchard below I heard several 8 Regulus Satropa singing as lusty as in Me. or Penn. The song is entirely without melody. I shot a pair and found that they had assumed the summer plumage. Here I also shot a 8 Sialis Nila; as he fell struggling into the snow his mate uttered a cry of anxiety and hovered over him a moment but as I approached quickly made off warbling very like a 8 but rather imperfectly (Compare similar Strutain sp. 88) and was soon out of sight. Keeping on up to the Asenal woods I shot a cross which flew over our within good
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Consortius Jorins Middlesex Co., Mass. 91 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Found Range as I awaited him behind a tree trunk, I think that shy birds are more or less dazzled by the intense glow of the sun on the snow than bright days as I have often noticed that they are less wary on such occasions. Heard a single Chry Plain's, the first sinner early in Spring. The sight of numerous Swallows (H. brevirostris) and butterflies (Pantila) flying about over the snow covered fields this morning with grasshopper and grain warblers in full song presented a most interesting and curious anomaly. The birds appear to have suffered not at all from the storm though how such birds as Swallows managed to procure any food during that time I cannot comprehend. I forgot to note a single Spiz. socialis which I heard singing this morning and the first heard since the 10th inst. April 17 Clear and cool with high N. wind. At a breakfast taking "Shit". In the Swallow W. of the "Artificial" flashed a single Spiz. and fired a long shot at him without effect. I beat all the Belmont ground carefully but found no traces of any bird's dust if they have strick into that locality so yet. In fact I do not think that I have had any regular flight of snipe so the meadows in the majority
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92 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) : 1875. April 17 Songs of the Woodcock Scolopax pallasi Middlesex Co., Mass. of places as still hard underneath And no green thing has started anywhere, extcept in feecy spots on the upland. With the fine swamps found from our pellets under an apple tree and climbing up to a likely looking hole I found thereon the body of a robin entire - feathers etc. - with the head only eaten off, and that too done very recently, as the ruptured muscles at the base of the neck were quite fresh and bloody. Searching under these holes and paints I found other pellets but could not see across the brids. The hole containing the robin I presume to be a sort of Florthouse for the male bird. Coming up through castle lane home I saw a flock of at least a doz. Scolopax pallasi among the willow stubs. Shot only one bird, a 6 Days. Muscicapa apis, amiss. I forgot to note under April 15 that on the afternoon of that day I went up to Carlisle with Nelson and Burdi taker the woodcock ring if possible; but in this expedition we were totally unsuccessful as not a bird did we hear. Mr. Robbins our guide host, heard them three nights in succession, Apr. 8-9-10th And has listened now fore. While at his place we saw much surprised to see an Passer domesticus fluttering against the side of this barn. It was an immature bird though full grown and how it found its way there is a mystery.
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Butus borealis in confinement 93. MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. April 20 - 1875- Middlesex Co., Mass. Apr. 20 Clear but cold and very windy. Thes. 20° at dawnin. Off after breakfast walkin up to the farm and back. Shot 40 Birds, the best 4: Amphi's Abram 1 Spy, finchilla & 1 & Sicilia realy, Killed 4 Finces & 1 Jory Sparrow at a shot. The former one in very perfect breeding pl. without a trace of rusty or ferruginous anywhem. Saw large flocks of Bas. shaces and Finces. Have seen no swallows for three days as the weather has been very cold. Waynerd has bred, 22 his Butus borealis from a man at Youngsbur who has so he writes 40 more alive. All are cought in Steel traps. They sitzy in rows on the perches of W airway and an very peaceable near quarrelling in the least, and frequently bitting on each others backs. In only time they make is a barely azidible whirring whistle. Two that I took from Mr. Saturday would eat nothing and as their plumage became badly spoiled by this confinement in a small box I let them go in our garden yesterday; both flew but a short distance and alighted in our cherry tree when he set for four time within good gunshot of me. I think I saw the same bird near Camb. country this morning. gettine within 20ds. of it before it sprang from the ground, when it was feeding upon something.
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94 MASS. (Widener Co.) 1875. Carduelis elegans Middlesex Co., Mass. April 21 - 1875 Apr. 21 Clear cold and very blustering day. Ther. at sunrise 20° at noon 36°. Off after breakfast striking off through the fields to the farm. In Grays' woods had a most agreeable and exciting surprise. While watching some purple finches in the apple tree I suddenly heard a note entirely new to me, ker-deck-ker-dee, ker-deck; ker-dee repeated at frequent intervals in a harsh tone. Looking through the branches ahead what was my surprise at seeing a most beautifully colored bird which I at once recognized as an European species Carduelis elegans. Starting at once in pursuit I found him very shy and while following him from tree to tree he was joined by another of the same species and both flitted through the orchard alighting on the topmost twigs and sometimes whirling off with the wind and the next instant returning again. I finally crept within range and shot one down when I found it easy to secure the other as they it would not have the spot when its mate (as discretion proved it to be) fled. The above note was the only one that I heard either after. This flight was undulating very like that of C. tristis and their field plumage very conspicuous. Upon skinning them I found both in good order, the male in fact fat.
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Habits & Notes of Willow Warbler 95 April 22 - 1875 - Middlesex Co., Mass. April 21 The sexual organs were very largely developed, the testes of the males as large as O. and the ovaries of the females well advanced. Thompson in Birds of Ireland gives an instance of finding the nest Apr. 9; I have not the least idea that these birds had ever been caged - everything is against such a supposition, as their plumage is perfect, and this considerable wilderness would almost preclude other possibility that they had ever been confined. After this streak of luck transfused all our the farm without seeing anything remarkable, shot a few birds - a Boreater & Sp. Monticola and a P. Savanna. The migration of Quinces and fat Sparrows is now about at its height. April 22 Clear and a lovely day, much warmer than any I have had of late. Off after breakfast intending to strike off by the swamps and on to the Belmont hill but a little episode in the lower meadow altered my mind. As I was walking along near the edge of the marsh I heard a trotting most remarkable note or song which though strange, was yet strangely familiar to me, and after [illegible] strong effort of the memory at length remembered whose last
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Midway Co., Mass. 96 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. April 22 I had heard it and by what it was produced, -- on the Belmont meadows some five or eight years back, and by a Wilcox wife. Creeping down to the edge of the marsh I and peering through the brush by which it was at this point flunged I was much delighted to spy a big fine old Gallinago basking in the sun on the top of a large tussock, and looking a little more closely I made out several more on adjoining elevations. Climbing up on a large stump and making myself as comfortable as possible, I watched them for about an hour and a half and was even then loath to interfere with their quiet moods. Not suspecting my presence in the least though within 30 yds. of them they pursued their wonted avocations with perfect freedom from fear. One large fellow sitting on the top of a little mound full in the warm beams of the morning sun dozed for minutes at a time certain moving and frequently repositioned on or let only the other drawn off away his feathers. Another was cleansing his plumage with his bill boarding the long member most dexterously and drawing through it as it were the feather of his wide spread tail. Two or three of the company, and I soon made out seven individuals within a radius of a few yards) now always
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Middlsex Co., Mass. 97 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 April 22 engaged in “boring” and I had a rare chance to observe this interesting characteristic. It reminded me most forcibly of Sparrow Lels, the one standing in a crouching attitude, the body nearly horizontal thrust down his bill not straight forward similarly but slanting forwards at a downward angle of about 45 deg. The thrusts were made with astonishing rapidity at least two a second and while making them the bird stood perfectly still hanging out on all sides just as the Oel Sparrow does. When a worm was struck the bill was drawn out rapidly forward (again recalling the quick hand over hand recovery of the Oar when the oel is struck and pulled safe) elevated for a moment, and with a shake or two of the head the worm was swallowed. It seemed to be made on the average about once in a dozen thrusts. Sometimes a bird would flit like a Phygocophilus solitarius a few yards, light on the ice (the meadow was covered with water to the depth of nearly a foot) with upraised wings until run out of his footing and then walk in a crouching motion to some little mound of earth that ran above the flooded meadow. Once five or six of them walked in single file across quite
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98 April 22 a wide effacer of ice and the X with this crouching movement and stealthy step almost recalled a file of Indians on the war path. This same crouching position was most invariably assumed when they were walking about – the head drawn in between the shoulders and all pointing down. When resting in the sun however the body was very perfectly thrown back and all crushing on the breast. At frequent intervals one or other of them would utter the cry previously referred to as heard at Belmont four years ago. It was a rapidly enunciated cup- cup – cup – cup-cup-cup-cup, nutted with a slightly falling inflection and varied occasionally to keep-keep- keep etc. Once I saw an make a gun at another holding his long bill nearly horizontally like a man in rest; but this adversary declining the combat turned tail and snaked off rapidly through the grass. After reloading them finally I hurried to my own boots, Parker gun & 'the fury' and returning started them from nearly the same place making a good double among the first that ran off and securing another the swift moment at very long range. I found the Indians (9 stated in all) to the upper marshes I hunted for them a long time (in vain) but,
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1875 Apr 22 over an immense amount of ground, After lunch & the invariable smoke tried the Belmont Meadows but found them altogether too dry and started only one bird which "shot" found in a ditch and pointed most superbly. Had an easy side shot as it rose and killed it dead with the first barrel. In the morning had my horn hammond- ed, drove up to the lower Swamp in hopes of hearing the Orphe "Orphe". Heard two only as they went out of the marsh at dusk uttering shrilly the ocafa. Heard also a Polynia Carolina singing, and saw a pair of black ducks which were flying low over the apple woods. I started same birds I think this morning. Total bag for the day Wilson's Brim 4. Apr. 28 Clear and warm with moderate W. wind. Off in my buggy after breakfast driving up to the Warren farm when I told. Walking quietly down the lane I spied a moving object in the little pond near it, and creeping down behind the wall, soon made out four black ducks basking on the surface, in the sun. Spent 2 1/2 hours watching them & hoping in vain that they would swim around within shot of me. Finally
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giving this up I made the most elaborate Talk upon them that I have ever attempted & actually succeeded in Crawling to within 50 yds of them with no other coors than to a few thin & leafless branches. Now their Ducks went up full stretch & taking the only chance I got them a charge of No 3 stopping on which flapped about on the water awhile & than crawled freely up on shore, going around to him I got within a few feet as he sat sleeply nodding on the mud & was about to pick him up when to my great disgust he rose straight up through the trees and flew off out of sight my gun missing fire at the critical moment. While watching this flock was much amused by their playful antics. Sometimes one would beat the water with his powerful wings churning it into foam around him. Then another would take it up and sometimes the whole together making a tremendous noise). They spent much time in chasing their plumage and in doing in the sun. I several times saw a drake swim rapidly around his mate (for they were manifestly paired) in a circle as if paying court to her affections. Occasionally one would quack three or four times but ever very loudly, & in rather a hoarser tone than the female ducks. On the way home I saw a wild pigeon sitting in an oak by the roadside and trying my horse I stopped &
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Rana halerina 101 Middlesex Co., Mass. MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. April 23. [illegible] It was a 6 and the first that I have ever seen in Mass. in Spring. Heard Rana halecinea yesterday for the first time and today heard several (identity unquestionable) of those mysterious insects, frogs or whatever they are, that fill our woods with this cracked voices during the Autumn months. I have never heard them before in spring. Reached the house by 1.30. Late in the afternoon took my gun and shot and walked up to the pinewamp intending to lay for night herons but as I approached the wamp I saw them already going out although the sun had got just set And by the time I got placed to my satisfaction on the edge of Part pond all had departed (four 80 altogether) They fly to the salt marshes very wheezing as in the fall. Sitting among the bushes on the edge of the little pond it was most interesting to hear the varying succession of bird(s other) voices as day gradually passed into night. The robins ended up the former period with a grand chorus, then a brief interval of comparative silence when in the still air the rasping incessant rase of the wood forer could be distinctly heard from the farther side, and the next moment a weird winnowing of wings commencing directly over the pond culminating in almost a
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102 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 April 23. Carolina's Middlesex Co., Mass. Shrick fairly startled me until I remembered its author: it was a Wilson Bristle and the sharp kake scarp of several others as they rose from the marsh to the Westward and an answering drumming from the Block Island madow immediately succeeded, and now the purry peep of the Hylas swelled up from very pool and with the croaking of Piana hahania inaugurated a chorus that would prevail till the dawn of the next day. A few minutes later a large owl dail'd on me but I did not catch sight of him until too late to fire. He continued in flight during moment beating about over the woods with intermittent flapping & failing inclining occasionally to either side, and finally soaring high up in the air, circling about of motionless wings like a buzzard or an eagle and eventually disappearing in the gathering darkness. I let him hover as Otis Wilsonians though it might have been a Brachyurus, but it was one of the two. His tail was wide spread as he passed over me and a certain buoyant lift of the body and indicativeness of purpose at each stroke of the wings reminded me quite freely of a night hawk. Coming down through the swamps I heard at least three different individuals of Poyana Carolina one of them calling incessantly kae, kae, kae; & the other Cuckling as noted in former occasions. N. Nesbit shot 2 & Nitton Carolina's
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Nest of the woodcock 103 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. April 24 Clear warm and pleasant with S.W. wind. Off after breakfast in my buggy taking "Shot" as I intended to try to find a woodcocks nest in the Warren run when I saw abundant signs of the birds yesterday, tying my horse in the usual place I stuck down into the sun and ranging "Shot" for a short distance found and potted one of the birds which by its size I concluded was the S. After flushing it & making sure that it had not risen from the nest I let the letter out again and he soon came down on his front most handsomely absolutely refusing to move far. Being quite sure this time of the nest I scanned the ground in all directions for the flying bird but in vain—nothing in sight but the universal woodland carpet of dry leaves & many tinted mosses, and antispa butterflies playing about in the sunshine). Taking another step towards the immovable and [illegible] statuesque letter I placed my hand for support on a small birch bough when with dashing legs and a scarcely audible flutter a large cock Sprang at my very feet, and rising straight up among the bushes, whiz- tled off in the customary manner. Looking down at the Spot where he had lain thus over the eggs four in number now [illegible] enough
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104 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Apr. 24 on this bed of oak leaves & dry grasses, Taking a long look at the beauties, for it was the first nest that I had ever seen, I removed to the distance of 50 yds. and Concealing myself awaited the return of the Old bird, but although I remained then good hours by the watch she did not again just in an appearance), so with much reluctance and @ feelings of mingled remorse and satisfaction. I carefully packed the egg in my collecting box and started for home. The nest was placed at the foot of a birch sapling in the very middle of a Springy "Bun" and the little ground on which it rested raised it barely a foot above the waters by which it was entirely surrounded. The rather though dense woods on the elevated ground bordering the run was in the neighborhood of the nest both low and beauty. The nest itself was composed principally of decrs and dry grasses carefully & smoothly arranged and was hollowed out quite appreciably in the centre. A few feathers from the birds breast were mingled with the material composing the nest and the dry chalky experiment of the bird was plastered on its side, The eggs had been incubated about a week I should judge & all contained well formed embryos. The 3 bird which I flushed first was lying some 20 yds from his sitting mate.
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Nept of Scops asio April 26 - 1875 Apr. 26 Clear and warm. Off after breakfast striking up through With Swamp. Spent most of the forenoon hunting for the mottled owl's nest around the Pin Swamp when I saw so many signs of the birds on the Wist and finally found it in a natural hole in an apple tree some distance from the swamp, and quite near a house. The Q (a gray bird) was sitting on four eggs in which the embryos were just assuming their shape as future birds. There was not the slightest indication of a nest; the eggs merely lying on a bed of rotten chips, and feathers plucked from the victims of the owl. 10 days experience has quite changed my mind with regard to the bird destroying proclivities of this species of owl. In many empty holes which were doubtless the works of the & were feathers of different species of birds & in the nesting cavity I found remains of John four or five species, including Ple. nivalis, Sialia picis, last & most memorable Murdos migratorius. The nest was in a very filthy condition from the defecation of the bird which was freely voided about the cavity. The sitting bird when taken off her eggs seemed perfectly stupid -- made no resistance with either bill or claws and lay in the open palm of my hand without attempting
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Accipiter fuscus Nest of Corvus Americanus April 26 To escape, I took the eggs & left the bird in hopes of another litter. On the way home saw two Accipiter fuscus flying Northward. H. N. Godwin came out to see me in the afternoon. Saw our common little yellow field butterfly out this morning for the first thing. Apr 27 Char but rather cool. Started off immediately after breakfast in my buggy taking dinner for the horse & myself. Drove up to [Shade St] when I once found a hawk's nest with young and trying Gray horn, spent the whole forenoon hunting the woods in that neighborhood for the nests of raptorial birds. Found abundant signs of owls especially Bubo Virginian, but could not discover any of their nests. Got a Crow however with eggs. The birds were in the immediate neighborhood and when I commenced ascending the tree, both kept flying overhead (out of gun range however) carrying incessantly in an angry tone. The nest was in a low hard growth pine not over 20 ft above the ground. Started as many as 10 grouse and hearing one "drum" a number of times crept cautiously up when he started off a stone wall. I heard a bird drum on the same wall & indeed on the very identical stone while out with B. Dean some four years ago, and humming
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Dendroica coronata Gallinula martinica Hawodica egretta 107 April 27 - 1875 April 27. near the place this afternoon I heard this bird again in exactly the same place; probably they use a certain rock, mound or log very season. On the way home searched many likely orchards for owls nested but although I found signs in many & in some cases most likely holes with owl feathers & about them I could discover no nests. I forgot to mention in connection with my discovery of the nest yesterday that there were no "jellots" under the hole & only one in the surrounding orchard though in neighboring ones they were under small very tree. Saw a little flock of Dend. coronata this morning & a bird G. gallinula gesterday. The late April birds are very late this year & very scare too. I have seen but a single Parulus calandula and Himudo fricolor is very scarce; I think they were nearly all killed by the cold snap last week as before that they were far more plentiful than they have been at any time since. The snow is now entirely gon & the frost all out of the ground Saw a swallow building in one of my boro this morning & mating this (Apr. 28). A Gallinula gallinula martinica was caught at Rockford Mass Apr. 10th & a Rida egretta shot at Plymouth Mass Apr. 20th.
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108 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Apr. 30 April 30 - 1875 Clear and very windy with slight snow in P.M. Took the 8.10 A.M. train for Concord and met Al Garland on the car. He was going to try the orioles at Bedford, Arriving at 6, started off 6 from the town and spent the whole day in the wood taking the 6.36 train home at Lincoln. Devoted most of the time to hunting for thrushes nests but did not succeed in finding any though once Lincoln I discovered a pair of the birds (B. boréal's) and shall try for their nest next week. Shot a Pheg. (calandula 1, D. palmarum) 6 (20) D. jura 1, D. coronata 28; Shot then latter from a flock of rural hundred which were collected in the woods along the shore of Walden p. The attraction how I soon discovered in immense swarms of D diptera insects, a species of Diptera which occurs near ponds in myriads at this season. Only a few D. coronata flew with the sed polls, but near the centre of the pond itself was a single Hirundo horresum Skimming about close to the surface of the water. Found signs of Sees also in nearly every old orchard that I visited but was unable to discover a nest though some of the droppings etc were quite fresh; in many who I found feathers etc. of small birds principally robins Found two crows nests from which I started the birds, but did not take the trouble to examine them. Attended a
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Zon. Albicollis - Carr. And. Mistitla varia 1875 May 2 - 1875 Middlesex Co., Mass. April 30 small gun to investigate a squirrels nest and when about half way up, a large Sciurus Carolinensis flew out. I pulled a hole in the bottom and drew out a young Gray
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Harpyhaliechus (pres) May 4th 1875- Mighty cloudy and chill with E. wind. Off after breakfast driving up to the Waukees run while I spent most of the forenoon searching in vain for the 2nd nest of my woodcock "Shot" evaded a bag of 6 quail for some distance and finally found them in a thickset of birches. On the evening of May 1st I heard a 6 calling Bob White near Mr. Maynard in Newtonville. Birds of all kinds are now fast increasing in numbers. I heard a 8 Har. Rufus and Jon. albiestris was abundant everywhere. Shot a 9 Regulus calendula and saw and heard several others, as well as two 8 Mniotilta varia. Sparrows for sparrows, 2 tree sparrows have entirely disappeared. May 6th Cloudy with wind S.E. Off after breakfast driving up on to the Hill and trying my floor in Prospect St. Shot 9 birds among them a pair of Regulus calendula. Amidst our Pipits erythrophanus pw. 8½; Mniot Carolinensis 1 specimen Dead. Pints a 8 singing. I saw also a hors worm for the first time but one was seen in Cambridge by B. Dean May 3rd. Found an owl hole in an orchard and took therefrom numerous feathers of a quail as well as of robin & smaller birds. Although there were several other likely holes in the neighborhood I could
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"[illegible] cry thro' thaloms, Mimius Cas., D and views 5th Canadensis 111" MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. May 6 - 1875 Middley Co., Mass. May 6 discover within the bide nor their nest. Brown thrushes own singing everywhere. Saw the first snake of the season a Cobra Patrius. Bufo Vem commenced singing the night of May 3rd. While driving through the further end of Prospect St. on my way from Pawberry of [illegible] guail [illegible] walking through the bushes which fringed the road, and pulling up the horse when nearly abreast of them had the pleasure of counting ten of the beauties, as they filed past within literally reach of my whip. Seen out of the ten were hens and the prospect of a goodly hatch in that district is most favorable. Saw a patch of snow and ice today [illegible] several feet square: it was among some very thick cedars. Saw 2 & 3 Sitta Can. May 7 Rained hard all last night this forenoon clearing off bright at about 11. After dinner started up into the swamps and passed the whole of the afternoon reading about in them. Took 9 birds, a bittern, a fine pair of roses & a Virginia rail, a redwing's, and 4 Mel. Palustris. Visited my owl nest and found that the bird had deserted the hole though they had apparently been there since I robbed it; so two fresh jullett,
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How notes and breeding May 7 - 1875 May 7 (one of them composed entirely of Humbirds feathers) lay in the tree. Near Block is, heard a number of rails calling and coming down through the brickyard swamp after sunset found the bushes fairly swarming with both species. In one little patch of meadows interspersed with thickets there must have been dozens of them and I frequently heard four or five of other species calling at once. A succession of peculiar squealing notes given in a low tone induced me in this place, to wade in cautiously to the spot, although I more than half expected that the author would turn out an amorously disposed must not as I have heard them with my Simulæ posed under those circumstances but peering around a thick bush I was much delighted to see a pair of Porzana Carolina within a few yards of me going through all the ceremonies of courtship. The female stalked coyly through the grass followed closely by the male both birds twisting and courting about in the little patch of meadows which was only a few yards square. Every now and then the retiring bird would dip until the other came up when he would spread his tail to the very utmost extent and elevating it nearly to the perpendicular stood around her with all the
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habits of the rails, 1875 May 7 pomp of a turkey cock uttering all the time that Agawam about referred to. When the object of his attentions apparently becoming tired of them would Shulk off again pursued closely as before. Often when the water became too deep for wading she would prove her attentio lover following pretty in her wake At length becoming tired of watching all this, and wanting the pair badly to mount, I fired and killed the D^, wounding, and death swift shot fleeing, the 9. The song of Porzana Carolina is widely the same previously noted. There are also at least three other notes; the cockling on, cutter, cutter, cutter: a very rapidly enunciated cry of eight or ten syllables, descending the scale as rapidly as almost to merit the appellation of a trill; and a single sharp, quick keep, the cry of alarm used indiscriminately by both sexes; by the young flocks in autumn. Rallus Visigraeums has only two calls that I am sure of at present; the first 9 Which I think is the song of the 8 [illegible] is a quick, rasping note of a sound repeated a number of times in succession and utterly indescribable. I can compare it only to a certain complaining sound made by a pig when hungry. The other is
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114 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 May 7 a monoplocic stream of deer Arrival Herons bairfros, Rallus Virginianus May 8 Cloudy with frequent drizzling rain. Took the 6.15 train for Concord after I sent Jim by appointment and started down river with him in his boat. He went ashore at the head of the meadows putting up his traps and killing one of them. The other flew out of sight and after beating about a while longer and gave up in disgust as it was beginning to rain) and with W. O'patrick who had joined us with Jims old dog started up river in the boat [illegible] reaching Sted. Butterick by 11. After eating lunch, the prospect brightening a little we started again, striking across through the woods for Dan meadow. Passing through a piece of high oaks I happened to glance up and immediately espied eight wild pigeons sitting motionless within five rod of us but as I raised my gun they were off like arrows and I missed with the first barrel that I pulled on them. Following on we started thus again, and firing four barrels at long range got down one, a fine [illegible] which I shall mount. On Dan meadow found no trap
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Butorides virescens Progne purpurea 115 Chrysoicis macularis MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Middlesex Co., Mass. May 8 Last Diogenes flushed a woodpecker among a small thicket of birches. This bird behared in a very curious manner falling about on his head for several minutes before flying off. It probably had either a nest or young in the vicinity. Reached home at 2 P.M. and I in drove down to Waltham when I took the train. On the road below Concord a fine Butorides virescens rose out of a pond hole and lit in some scrub oaks but was so shy I was unable to get near him. Arrivals were Chrysoicis macularis several, Butorides virescens 1, Progne purpurea, about Eagle minimums seen at Brookline on the 6th, Porzana moschata and Athene hyrcana shot at Newburyport Mass. on the 4th May (by Clifford and Joyce), Ballus cyprius tation on vessel off Boston harbor May (C. G. Brewster) Sunday May 9 Cloudy with E. wind, drove up to Maynard's in P.M. and saw a large company of Chalcea pelagja at least 50 in number, culling about on the river at Watertown. May 10 Clear and very warm? His. 84 at noon. Spent the whole day in the barn working over birds. Percy Aldrich came out to see new
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116 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 May 10. D. aestiva, Vireo gilvus et flarifrors, Dc. Batthnus, G. trichas S. aureocapillus, Turdus fuscescens Percrorens Canadensis, May 10 in the O.M. Seval Octers Balthmus can been to day. I noted Syranmus Bar, and Dnd. aestiva both in numbers May 11 Clear and warm. Spent all the day in the house and mounted 4 birds. Henry (Glenshaw) arrived from Washington last night and dropped in on me this afternoon. Purdie also came out and we went up to the swamps together at dusket to hear the rails, with which the swamps were fairly alive. Purdie compared the backling of P. Carolina to the stock of a woolman's (atth turned short, Arrivals now Dicro gilvus et flarifrors and G. trichas all in numbers. Fictus Balthnus was also quite numerous about the city this morning. May 12 Clear & warm. Saw a g. D. aestiva winding the very first piece of stone into a fork of a Vibec bush. She apparently selected the site for the nest without a moments hesitation. Serinus aureocapillus noted at Norton on the 8th, v. Turdus fuscescens on the 9th inst. Gariophila ludoviciana & Dol. origivorus on the 10th, Antrostomus vociferus, D. Pennsylvanian and D. Blackburnias on the 11th; Perula (and?) Hel. inficajilla on the 12th. Mr. B. J. Nagman saw distinctly Percrorens Canadensis in a garden in West Norton on May 10. Mr. Percy Aldrich was with M. at the time and the identification beyond suspicion of error.
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 1875- May 13 Clear with high cold wind, blow at 6 A.M. and had Charles drive me up to the Wavley hill when I spent the forenoon collecting and meeting him by appointment at 1 P.M. from home J. York 26 birds the best D. Blackburni & D. caerulescens #8, D. Vireri 7 ?, Pyrrhula rubra & Flyg. Lndovic. 26 10, Arrivals from Wisco Nos. 18, Decumb. g. a ; Rubra 18; Canticus priors I well seen & unmistakable though not shot; the woods were fairly alive with birds and the collecting very easy as the trees are as bare as my printer. Found a Crow nest with young, in a pitch pine but did not ascend to it: the young kept up a continuous whining cry. May 14 Clear with E wind. Spent all the A.M. shinning birds & put up 16. Immediately after dinner started off in the buggy with Henry H. and drove up to Belmont. Henry first tried the hill and shot a pair of Heydumki, Lndovie, a wood thrush and a few others. I then left on to "the willows" when I took a very fine Flyg. Potamine Potamine's Potamine's Potamines a water thrush and a ? Horundo Horrioens. Came home through Prospect St. where we shot a D. discors. Arrivals were D. maculosa 18; My. fuscilus 1 ? ; Siurus moribacamas 2,4; D. Discerta D. &. Osophlus estubis 18 (Cyanodipja cyana 3? (B.D.) A very few cherry blossoms are out.
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118 MASS: (Middlesex Co.) 1875 May 17 Clear with cold N. wind. Brok at 6 and was driven up to the further end of Prospect St. by Charles. Walked from there up through the willows then down along the edge of thick mud-dirs to the upper mill pond when I crossed over to Waverly woods and was taken up by Charles again at 12: reaching the home by 12.30. Took out my Stevens pistol (a new invention) for the first time and killed 14 birds in 26 shots. The best were Piro Nos. 3 D. discolor 8 & 2/, Crochilus columbi 6; Totanus totanius 1/; Saimus Nov. 1/; and Hylobius Ludovic, 6. Heard Swainson's S. Swanson: singing in full blast at two different fronts and on the latter occasion near own. Found a nest of Corvus Ans. in a wild apple tree in an old pasture. It was about 15 ft. high above the ground and contained 3 eggs disorted and one of the pierced by the bill of Crow bird, under the tim the turf was fairly covered with sticks of various sizes which the birds had dropped while building. Saw then Pottery Tallus. Shot the one I got with a charge of No. 10 in the pistol at about 20 yds. Heard a S Curvirostra Ans. Singing in a practising strain in a tall yellow ferns and shot him with the pistol but he lodged so high up that I could not get down. His song was evidently unfinished & like: whit, whit, whit, whit, wit; too to-to-too- too: whit, whit. Saw two S such wood thrushes fighting on a g and while tumbling about in the leaves they sang most beautifully though
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Corvus ossifragus (May 16) 119 Dend. tigrina Chordeiles picturatus May 17 in a very hurried train yesterday (Sunday) I saw a flock of about 20 crows coming over our place cawing loudly I chasing an individual that appeared a little smaller than the rest. As they were directly overhead the person heard their clamor and the person called out Crip or right times in succession in the not to be mistaken accents of Corvus ossifragus. I had made the acquaintance of this bird at Washington D.C. in 1873 and was sure that I was not mistaken. The whole flock soon swept out straight the Northern birds still harassing their maritime relation. Henry Purdie saw 3 & Mel. Chrysophia at Newton the same morning (May 16). Frank Whitney Esq. shot a Dend. tigrina to day at Belmont and another on the 14 inst at Watton! both own 8's and were found among box cedar. May 18 Alternately cloudy and clear with very high S.E. wind. drove one to Watertown last evening and spending the night with Purdie we row early this morning and driving one to the Upper Falls" 2 1/2 miles took a boat above the dam and spent the day on the sere. I shot 15 birds among them Chordeiles picturatus & Hirundo rubi 68 (Purdie killed) Dend. maculosa & etc. Found a nest of Sayornis fusca attached to a R.R. bridge and ready for the eggs. Birds very scarce in the woods & we saw nothing worthy notice. I reached Cambridge by 6 P.M.
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120 Song of D. tigrina, D. striata, Cervicotta and Breeding note of Pipilo erythropthalmus May 20 - 1875 May 20 Clear with high wind. Row at 6 and had Charles drive me up to Wamley where I spent the forenoon on the hill, took 14 birds the best D. tigrina 3, Hy. ludoviciana 2 3, D. caerulescens 1 3 etc. The barn May warbler was among low cedars in the sand place when Mr. Whitney first one on the 17th. It was singing in the same way as one seen near our house at Watertown in the spring of 1869 - a rather feeble trilling strain very like and variation of the redstart or one of Parula war, but recognizably distinct from either, and quite different from the decided summer song in M. It was excessively fat - indeed all the birds on this season, sparrows, warblers thrushes, are difficult which fact is I think attributable to the very slow advance of the season which keeps the birds creature bound, and prevents the full development of that settler migratory tenetness so inimical to obesity. Redd. colonata is still very abundant and I saw a & D. jalmeus the last of the season. Cardus Swainsoni was singing in several places this morning. Heard another red Crossbill practicing and several thrush caught the distant call note of individuals that were flying about on the woods, Heard the low low note of Pipilo erythropthalmus which I believe I saw earlier before though it has occasionally come to my notice - a feeble geep. Skating an old stump in the Wamley swamp I was much delighted at the sudden appearance
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Flying Squirrel 121 Mel. Lomistrie May 21 - 1875 My canadensis of a fine Pteropus vohella the first. I live saw alive He came out of an old downy woodpecker's hole and though I shook the tree most violently he still succeeded in clinging to it and the moment I stopped would whisk into the hole to come out again at the first renewal of the shaking. Finally he "took wing" and sailed in a graceful "feather" to the next tree a bir maple where I could not dislodge him, as he flattened himself against the bark and treated the shower of old branches & bark which I pelted at him with serene contempt. Finally I shot him but as I got within a yard or two of his agonized struggling among the leaves he found a hole among some roots and escaped much to my disgust. Saw 2 striata May 21 Clear and warm, Wind S.W. Off after breakfast driving up to the wilder. Shot 14 birds with my pistol in 17 shots the best were Mel. Lomistrie 2, decembri 3, D. caerulescens 3 & 10. My genibalis 1 & Genus norvocaensis 2 (8 & Q) etc. Birds were very numerous and I shot all my specimens in a little thicket near the road. The M. Lomistrie was perfectly silent and rather shy or perhaps more properly shaking suspicious. In one place I saw 7 & D. caerulescens and one Q. Saw a single M. canadensis. Watched a
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"Breeding notes and habits of Circus Hudsonicus Song of Vireo Novboracensis, Middlesex Co., Mass. May 21 fine & marsh hawk for some time. He evidently had a mate sitting on the nest in a certain portion of the meadow for at regular interval of a hour or so he would approach the spot flying very high up and commences stooping down like a night hawk at each stop uttering a rather feble kee, kee, kee. While performing then revolutions his motions were most graceful and airy and buoyant; at each descent he approached closer to the earth and finally I could just catch sight of him as he rose above the bushes and plunged down again and after one or two more descents, he would appear no more, having probably alighted near his mate. I marked the spot as accurately as possible and shall visit it to morrow. The song of Vireo Novboracensis may be exactly imitated by the syllables chick, a-ri chick or sometimes chick, a-re-o. Th' chirp two can fairly out yesterday for the first time. Shunning birds an especially scarce I have seen only two. Robin's best, 4 freshess, May 22 Rained hard last night chasing off at 0:30 to day. Very warm in P.M. this reaching 62°. Spent the morning about the house doing up odd jobs (which owing to freed of work I have sadly neglected of late). After dinner drove up to the "Willows" taking "Shot." Spent all the P.M., searching for the small
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Briga maritima, Zon. lutescens Dend. tigrina. Nests of Sicala flori and Mdl. melodia. 123 1875. May 22 - 1875 Middlesex Co., Mass. May 22 hawk's crest but was utterly unsuccessful, though I struck found the & bird sitting on a tussock near when I observed him plunging yesterday. Stated Sural Rails (R. Vir.) and a bittern but do not think they have laid yet. Birds are very cold this year in their nesting. Robins and bluebirds have but barely commenced incubation. I took a nest of the latter from a box in our garden, this morning, containing 5 fresh eggs. Saw Muscovy My junculus et Canadensis but did not shoot any as I should have had no time to skin them. Am very positive that I heard a B D. tigrina singing in Waverly but the locality being dangerous I did not attempt to shoot him. Coming home through Prospect St. I started a pair of Zon lutescens out of the road and trying the birds I shot down both but could find only one, the ♀. Heard the B sing several times; the song as noted in 1873 is very plaintive and commonly exactly the same time and key as that of Poetes gramineus; it was also very feeble but I have no idea that what I hear here is the full finished performance and indeed it may be far from it as in the case of D. tigrina and Zon. albicollis. At this place found a nest of M. melodia with 5 fresh eggs. From what I saw this afternoon I judge that a very many flight of birds passed us today, Briga maritima in
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124 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. May 24 - 1875 May 24 Clear and very hot with S. wind, Rose at 5 A.M. and had Charles bring me up to the pine hill above Lawrence's in Waltham. From there struck out to Rock quadrons and thence down to the hill in Wansdy when Charles took me up again at 1. Shot 13 birds the best E. flariventris 3, H. chrysoptera 18, My. Canadensis 8, Pig. Bubra 8, Guiraca Landovie, 2 8. Had great luck on egg taking a nest of Pars ator, 6 fresh, Spiz. pusilla 4 do, Sp. socialis 4do, Minus Par. 5 do. Also found left part of S. multistria (in Cedar tree) 1egg! Carp. Jurpusurus just just finished. Found a large nest in the fork of a tall oak and climbing up a neighbourly Tree I was much surprised to see a very fine adult. Buteo Lineatus sitting thereon (the nest). When at length she saw me she hopped up on the edge of her eye looked at me a minute then flapped to the nearest limb, took another good look and packing out one eye had screamed at her with the dismal queco qu-e-co - in the most piercing Tones I thought than when jess attracted reasons. Not being able to be into the nest I descended but when I spread erect upon the ground the old hawk sheered off out of gun range as though mine for the first time fairly recognizing it must daddy enemy. This bird was I think the S. and had remained on the nest all the time I was walking around under it before thinking th
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"Nest building habits of Circus cyaneus" 1875 Middlesex Co., Mass. May 24. adjoining tree. From the ground of the creching platform of Hicks I think however that he could not see me when underneath but it was very still & he must have heard the crackling of the dry twigs etc. I shall get at the nest to morrow in some way or other if possible. Taking a look into the shadows where I saw the marsh hawks last week what was my delight at finding the birds both then and engaged at building their nest. The ⌐ sat on a stake while the ⌓ collected dry grass and carried it to a certain spot among some low shrubs when he dropped and after remaining about 30 seconds started off again. Frequently he would go not more than 80 feet or so for this purpose and men over 100 yds. They ⌐ only went to the nest once during 2 hour or more that I spent watching them. They kept up an almost incessant calling to one another, a shrill squeaky que, que, que very different from any note I ever heard them utter before. Whether the ⌓ passed his bill or feet in collecting & transporting the grass I could not decide as I did not dare to approached too close, but I think that the feet were the members employed. Finally the ⌓ soared up into the sky and disappeared when I approached within 20 yds. of the nest
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126 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 May 24 Myiarchus crinitus Empl. flaviventris Amphelis cedrorum 2nd arrival. May 24 - 1875 and found a large chapman mass of dry grass collected on a little hill of the meadow but tho I at this moment pursuing one I retired afraid of exciting her suspicions; she came up certain future places and squaled at me loudly and decided to have all fear in her indignation at my intrusion. I think the flight of warblers is nearly over. Yesterday when I heard a ? Mel. pugnaxia singing in full blast in one garden, Saw a ? Myiarchus crinitus this day at Wansly and fired two shots at him from the pistol without success. Heard D. maculosa & My. Canadensis both singing. Their song are very similar & equally implies that of the latter differs in being more broken. I shot a ? D. Blackburnian & heard another singing, Saw a ? wild pigeon at Wansly. Towse found a nest of this bird at Weston with an egg on the 22 inst. The Empl. flaviventris was among cedars I was very tame during silent. Amphelis Cedrorum appeared in numbers to day after the final shower. Saw & heard numbers of Cerisvetta Am. & Chry. finus. Chry. tristis is now joined & in full summer plumage. The apple trees are in blossom & tho forest trees seem to day quite thick with incipient foliage - Sat. May 22 They were as bare as in winter.
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May 25 Clear and depressingly warm with S.H. and off by 8 A.M. driving up to Prospect St. when I tied. Shot only 3 birds the best Myzurus q, D. discolor & Vireo Nov. again, saw a q Well. Chrysoptera on the same place when I took the young last Beromun and heard the 2 singing not far off but would not shoot either as I hope to find the nest. Yesterday probably aided up the flight of northern birds as I saw only a very few species to day that do not breed with us, one each of Vireo Nov. My. Canadensis & Passerina (1) D. Striata I forgot; that is still common and I hear their feble songs from one garden as I write (May 26), the transition from Spring to Summer - from leafless woods full of migratory warblers to masses of luxuriant foliage prefilled with thin characteristic Summer Species, has been most Sudden this year. May 22 and the oaks & walnuts were entirely bare and showed almost no signs of the coming verdure that was to shade the ground beneath through the hot months but in three day the change was accomplished, and now the apple blossoms are already beginning to fall. After dinner drove up to the 3rd Shoulder hawks nest on Rock meadow taking Charles to do the climbing. Found the bird sitting and although she walked & around the tree beneath her and talked in loud tones she would not fly through by the armyions Grasings of her neck over the edge of the nest it was plain to
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May 25 see that she was perfectly aware of our presence. As soon as Charles started up the tree however she launched off and after a few wheels above us dived off over the woods and disappeared. I could have shot her with ease but forbore to do so as I had little doubt but that the nest contained young. Charles however upon reaching it called down that there were two eggs and throwing up my basket by means of a string he brought them safely down Upon showing them after reaching home I was much surprised to find them nearly fresh though still sufficiently incubated to assure one that they were all that the bird would have laid, May 27 Clear and still, pretty hot at noon but with cool E. wind in the afternoon. Now early and left the place at 6:45 driving directly up to the Roxbury lane, when I tied my horse and struck at once into the woods. Found the 2nd nest of the pair of crows that I robbed Apr. 27th. It was about 100 yds from the original site and in a small slender pine about 20 ft. above the ground. The old bird flew off upon my shaking the tree and ascending I found 4 eggs (largewbyss) which I took. The old birds kept circling about overhead out of gun range and their vigorous cawing soon summoned a third which joined in their clamor. Keeping on from this
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Middlesex Co., Mass. 129 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 May 27 point I shot 6 birds during the forenoon 1 Heli chrysopetra b, 2 & H. ludoviciana, 1/3 Papaspa rubra, do by Cyanca, do Chordeiles pictetus. The latter I happened to spy sitting perfectly still along the topmost (dead) branch of an apple tree in an orchard. It was nearly noon at the time and the trap of the bird very powerful, and getting up nicely under the bird I could see that its eyes were tightly closed. Stirring forward in direction at it I brought it to the ground wing broken and upon presenting my hand in front of it it opened its mouth to the largest and uttered a singular murmuring note but without attempting any other defense. Heard a gros beak and saw a 3 My. Canadensis as well as a few D. striata; all the other migrants have disappeared. Found three nests of D. Penn. building. Returned in time for dinner. Dr. P.W. walked up to the swamps and reached the "Brickyard" line very carefully for bald nests but did not succeed in finding any and saw but a single bald, a R. Virginianus. The meadows were very dry and this condition of affairs may have aided the birds to leave the haunt. Took two sets of Milospiza palustris containing respectively 4 and 5 eggs all fresh. Also two sets of Agilains phoenixius with 4 eggs each, one set fresh the other slightly incubated. One of them latter was almost pendant in a tall bush now
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"Ardetta cfilis" Notes of Mr. [illegible] and A. Phoenixian Middlesex Co., Mass. 1875. May 27 The water thin other brilt between some upright slender Haliks was barely a foot above the ground and almost entirely concealed by a canopy of dry grasses. While wading nearly up to my waist in water I flushed an Ardetta cfilis which rose from a clump of water plants and tripping some older [illegible] Armed as I was only with the little Stevens pistol I fired at the flying shot and following on came across the bird perched on an tall bush over the water: as I caught sight of it it also saw me and with a feeble flutter essayed to rise, but apparently finding the [illegible] too thick resumed its perch again balancing itself on the slender branch with some difficulty and after watching it a moment I shot it. It proved a 9 and judging from its pollen product and the presence of two eggs in the ovaries as large as gooseberry I [illegible] thought it probable that four or had already been laid though I was unable to find any signs of a nest when the bird rose. Disturbing the slender neck to a most noticeable degree was a young eel about four inches long; this fish was quite fresh and perfect and a careful examination revealed not the slightest scratch on its body form where I infer that the bird must pick up its prey instead of seizing it with the bill. Saw a pair of Nymphodia [illegible] & hard Gyles [illegible]
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Nests of Pipilo erythrophthalmus and By. eritata Hill. Peregrina May 29 — 1875 Middlesex Co., Mass. 131 May 29 Cool with E. wind, the sun shining, all day being threaded in a sort of sea fog such as frequently prevails on the coast but is rarely observed so far inland. Took the train for Concord last night with Henry Wardin & B. Dean and put up at the hotel when we were visited by Jim M. and W. Brittrick, got off at it this morning and taking Jim's boat pulled up the Assabet river. A little above Egg rock he heard a Hill. Peregrina singing with that persistent energy peculiar to the species and landed. I shot him with the Stevens pistol, wanting about him for several hours I found a nest of Pipilo erythrop. with 4 fresh eggs, and shot a pair of My. canadensis, and a Lon. albicollis; of the latter species I have not seen a specimen for over three weeks, stepping on up river we found several nest of Tyrannus Carolinensis placed on horizontal branches low over the water, and I shot a 'S' My. fasciillus that was singing in a small firm, its song is rather feeble and devoid of character and expression and resembles somewhat that of Bend. County, with a little descending flourish at the termination lower which renders them sufficiently distinct. Went up river as high as the 'One arch' bridge and got back to town in time to take supper at the hotel and catch the 6,38 train home. Saw quite a number of My. Can.
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132 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. May 29 during the day also do. Squirrels now, of which latter to shot two. All these birds have been gone from Cambridge's vicinity for several days. I found also a nest of Cygnura cristata built in an oak sapling and containing 3 fresh eggs. Also a nest of Corvus Auk, in a pine, containing one young bird but a few days old. Around. Hiata is still abundant everywhere. Maynard found a Robin's nest a few days since built in a stone wall and containing eggs. May 31 Clear and a fine day. Rose at 6 and got off shortly after driving up to the Wilmington Plane where I left my horse and struck across to the swamp when J.P. Atkinson took two nests of Accipiter fusces from years ago. Wanted all the pines most faithfully but shot as nest in any of them, singularly enough not even an old crow or squirrels. On the ways back stumbled upon a nest of Strigoides maculatus containing 2 eggs to 1 of Pipilo erythrophthalmus both &. Both of them I left for full complements. The 2 Strigoides was sitting and my first warning of her hidden treasure was given by other tumbling out almost under my feet, and with drooping wings, tottering legs, and all the feathers of the camp curiously raised, she saw from 80 yds a yard away when she was joined by her mate and both standing motionless looked at me in perfect silence & artful evident apprehension.
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Corp. Ysaillin, Nests of Yellowhumming Boc. erythrophthalma (White thro. Thryoides marchamius and W. Penki. Middlesex Co., Mass. 1875. May 31. The Pheilo likewise sat very close, but quietly stealing off the nest when I was within some feet of it but without making me of any interference to draw me away. When she thought I had discovered the nest she set up an angry che-wink & came quite near me again but upon my retiring her fears seemed to be allayed at once. I afterwards found a nest of Boc. erythroph. with two sitting upon one egg. Also found a wood thrush's nest with eggs. Both birds kept fluttering about me anxiously but with their habitual shyness, disappearing upon my slightest movement. The nest was about 7 feet up in a small elm not in a fork as usual but plastered against the side of the tree with an under support contributed by numerous clusters of small things which diverged from the main stem. Found also 4 nests of Bend. Penns. were ready for the eggs. Slight only a Garden Humming & (of the nest) of Herondo psorocorum & Bomada flycatchers were everywhere in abundance. I must have seen & heard 20, & I think the migration of that species & D. stricta is now at its height. Heard the pipe of Corp. Ysaillin in Mr. Spelman's garden this morning but could not get a right at the bird. Saw also a Lon. albies again to day. Had a fair shot at a 6' Marsh hawk but as it was within a mile of my nest I let him pass. The cherry apple & pear blossoms have all fallen.
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O. Braidlei, Breeding habits of Ml. palustris Middlesex Co., Mass. June 1 Clear but very cool with E wind. Started for the swamps at 8 taking lunch with me and with other preparations for spending the whole day. As I entered the bickyard swamp almost the first bird I heard was O. Braidlei. His harsh queeishy sound to que squeak or the high note pipe came up from the willow thicket almost menacing and if good spirits could be taken as an indication he certainly seemed as much at home there as among the thickets of Bear river at Kewsy Me. Going in pursuit I shot him easily enough and had likely got him down up in his paper cove when I heard another this one proved very shy and I chased him a full half hour before getting a shot. In the afternoon I heard a third in the Pine swamp but failed to secure or even get a sight at him. Crossing the Wat. &. V. R. tracks I struck into the swamp again and found a nest of Ml. palustris with 5 eggs. It was built in the usual way in a cavity--so to speak--hollowed out in a bunch of old dry grass which canopiled, and surrounded it on every side. The swamp Sparrow creeps quietly out when you get within a few yards of her a flight nothing betraying his movements then as she gets a few yards away she gives a chirp of uneasiness and goes to washing herself drinking, or even feeding birds keeping however a sharp eye on the intruder. The first time I saw this done I thought these actions real and simply the result of the bird's indifference
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Cistothorus stellaris at Palmiston 135 Middlesex Co., Mass. June 1 with regard to the safety of the nest, but I am now sure that this indifference is entirely assumed and the bird only pretends to flee. Every bird of these nests has done precisely the same thing. There is no angry or anxious chirping, no excited flutterings or hopping about; the keen arching glance of that bright little hazel eye alone betrays the mothers intense appre- hension. The moment I began to pack up the egg and nest in my basket, the inefficacy of her little ruse seemed to become apparent to her and fluttering hurriedly up she would hop into the nest the instant I took my hand out of it though I was sitting within two feet of it. Even now there was no noise, no fuss; only one beseeching little cry for mercy, and then, almost the resolution to go with the nest. Keeping on I crossed the H.R.R. track finding nests of the red winged Blackbirds at frequent intervals, but disturbing none of them. I examined 9 during the day, 2 were hung among the brush & 7 laid down in tussacks; 5 had 4 eggs each, 1 contained only 3. Started two pairs, one of each species: both rose with ease and flew nearly as fast as a snipe with legs drawn up, one of them going clear across the broad meadow at one fly. Next came across a little colony of Marsh wrens & shot six thin of each species (lost 1 stellaris), though within a few rods of one another the long bills now so usual in the osier sedge?
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136 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. June 1 Haunts of the Night herons. June 1-1875. The short bills among the fine meadow grass. The song of C. stellatus is chip, chip, ts-ts-ts, thefinal trilled quite pretty. That of C. Palustris is likewise a trill but dry gratulated & almost harsh: it reminds me exactly of the battle of a chain jump but is less loud. Both species have a scolding chatter indistinguishable from each other, and very like that of Y. alcedo. Their flight is slightly undulating and very neat & field. C. palustris frequently mount straight up in the air to the height of 15 ft or so and drop again into the grass. Found a partially constructed nest of C. palustris. Next struck into the maple swamp beyond Block is where the night herons haunt and searched it through so thoroughly as to satisfy myself that the birds do not breed there. About 25 birds now roosting in the trees over the brook and I shot down three of them in three shots as they flew over my head but two faling off a short distance. I lost though I distinctly heard them crash through the cane. The only one secured was in very poor field ornamentation & showed no signs of breeding. Afterwards I searched all the other woods on or near the meadow & am now sure that that birds do not breed here at all, & are probably barren individuals. About half were immature. On the brook was a rich lysinge anistette and this evening had the chorus of these birds as they passed over our place and have heard them before some imes lately. Crossing the brook & entering the maple swamp on the further side
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Mel. dominica, E. flavidentris My. Canadensis 157 Knts of J. fuscares, S. anticilla & triches & B. viriscens Evening flight of the king bird June 1. I reached it carefully and found a nest of Seth. anticilla 3 eggs fresh, & one of D. restura, both built in upright forks of maple 20 ft up. Took the red death & shot the ? (which had a 4th egg nearly ready for the shell) Found also here a nest of Cardus fuscescens built at the point of junction of three or four maple trunks, & about 3 ft. up. 4 eggs fresh. Finished my days work in the join swamp when I took a nest of J. fuscares built on the ground among Shank cabbage, a E. triches do & eggs & 1 of M. precis, found & left a nest of Butor. viriscens leg, shot a ? My. Canadensis, & Mel. dominica and saw a E. Maillii & E. flavidentris. Also much to my surprise started up a Red ferrugineous among some bushes: it looked like a ? and after I left the swamp I could still hear its unmistakable oackle. Reached the house by 6 P.M. and as I came down through the garden saw a very dark J. Alicice bathing under the storming spray of a hose. A pair of Pyramus Bas, are building in an orchard and very evening after sunset the ? (I think) rises into the air at a considerable height and then plunges and dashes about as if crazy uttering his cries incessantly. This I have noticed elsewhere - the habit appears to correspond to the somewhat similar one of E. minimus & some other birds, Eg. Enanced included. This latter species I hear regularly every morning & his song is more than usually tender & beautiful. My. Canadensis was in every thicket, I saw over 20. Yester day one E. noveboracensis
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138 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 June 3 Wests of Hsingailes mac, Pipilo, Coccyzus ery. D. Pennsylvanicus Middlesex Co., Mass. Clear but rather cool with fresh S. & E. wind. Rose at 6 and got off as soon as possible, Charles drove me up to the Wellington lawn when I took the three nests found & left on May 81 and put them home in the buggy. They contained Skin, macularius, Leg. - Pipilo, 3, Coccyzus erythrusp. 5; The latter birds must have laid Eggs between Monday at 11 A. M. and Thursday at 6 A. M. This I have had happen with the other species which deposited Eggs between 7:30 A. M. and 7 the previous evening or in 9 1/2 hours. The Hsingailes sat very close and simulated lameness more perfectly than before. From here struck across country towards Belmont reaching the spring near Poplar St. by noon and taking lunch there. On the morning found three nests of D. Pennsylv., two with 2 eggs each, the other with 1 egg & 1 of the cowbirds. After D. Penns. is a very close sitter; one may almost touch head on the nest before the bird start: She & usually sings within less than 100 yds of his mate I went, found and took two nests of Coccyzus erythrusp. The first with 5 eggs, the 2nd with three. In all these nests taken to day, one egg was incubated consider- ably while the others were quite fresh. A fresh Cuckoo's egg blows like a rotten egg, white yolk & all came out mixed together in cream against; incubated a few days the white (bo called) becomes quite hard and is of a glass gray color. One of these nests was so small and flat that the eggs seemed on the point of rolling out or rather off. The birds always quit close, and entered the usual over-troop after being frightened.
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139 June 3 Found two nests of G. trichas on, one with 2 eggs was built among ferns and by its own exterior bulk raised nearly a foot above the ground; the other contained four fresh eggs and was placed in the very top of a high ground juniper at least 3 ft. about the ground. The 2 of both flew off very quietly and did not in either instance show themselves again or make any plaint. Took also two nests of Seiurus auricapillus, finding both by accidently stumbling upon them and starting the 2 off. In the first instance she ran quickly and rapidly a few rods these commenced tumbling about with spread wings; in the second I put my foot down within four inches of the entrance to the nest and upon the bird's tail as she started off, pulling out nearly a handful of feathers and smashing an egg which she had probably rolled out in her hasty exit. The first set contained four eggs, the second four all fresh. Past that afternoon had very meagre success, went to my Cerphodacus nest in Waverly (found on the 24th) and found the 2 sitting or 5 perfectly fresh eggs. Found only one nest of interest—a small beautifully constructed one on the branch of a yellow pine some 30 ft. up; it was empty and will I think prove to belong to either D. virio or D. flava. Shot Eurp. flav. & in wild apple, tame & silent. My Can. & D E minimum 2.. Heard only one or two other N. Can. the rest of the season.
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Nest of Bireus—was Hudsonius Middlesex Co., Mass. June's Clear and my hot with S wind. Started off at 8 in my braggry and drows up into the millers killing my bank bird. Went directly in to my muth hawks nest and when within about 10 yds. the & rose from the nest and made off screaming shrilly a gwee quee quee, until my heavy charge of ½-6 stopped her. The nest contained four eggs, all spotted, and but one tinged slightly with green. The nest was placed flat on the ground in a deep meadow, and at the foot of a small clump of bushes but not among them. There was scarcely any depression in the centre where the eggs lay and the whole affair looked loosely and unkempt: though the grass composing the lining of lining it could be called now perhaps "circularly arranged" they were not certainly "interwoven" in any way. The exterior was composed of sticks many of them large, the interior wholly of dry grass; no feathers in fact nothing else whatsoever. Packing the eggs in my basket and propping up the dead & did the nest I concealed myself in a thicket of bushes within good range and awaited the return of the male. On the course of perhaps ten minutes I heard his kep, kep, kep overhead and looking up espied him sailing about at an immense height so high indeed that he looked no larger than a barn swall. A crow was scurrying about him and a Buteo lineatus that was sailing apparently in his company; and the trio soon
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. June 5 melted out of sight in the distance and although I lay in ambush for more than an hour he did not return. Taking the rest and a bid I returned to the wagon finding a newly finished nest of Pyrranga subra by the way, and reached the house in time for dinner. Hollard & flaviventris and saw two Sturnus morbusensis. D. Striata is still with no in small numbers. Upon opening the hawks eggs found two perfectly fresh, the other two with a slight bloody patches marking the incipient embryo. The stomach of the bid contained a nearly whole Aricola infania. Among the intestines were a few small whitish worms. Saw a nest of E. minimus in our garden; hegg incubated about a week. June 7 Cloudy all day with E. wind and driving fog. Heavy thunder thunders in P.M. after which a rain storm set in and lasted all night, a grateful boon as we have not had so much as a sprinkle before for many weeks. Off by 7, Charles driving me up to the hill. Devoted the day to searching for prairie warbler's nests, but found only two, 4 eggs each. Both these were in the old spot where I have taken them every season and although I heard many males singing elsewhere in good looking places, I could find no other nests. No larger proportions
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142 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. June 7. Nesting habits of D. discolor Mniarchus crinitus Middlex Co., Mass. of the males must have been without females and I think this state of affairs obtains often among birds of this species more than any other. Both of my nests were in rather exceptional situations - in low scattering barberry bushes away from the thick clumps, and not over 10 ft above the ground. One of them was so conspicuously placed that it was impossible to pass within 30 yds without seeing it. Neither of the 2 birds sat as closely as is their wont and one gave me much trouble before I could get a satisfactory glimpse of her; she would dart off the nest before I could get nearer than 20 ft. to it, and thus fly over 100 yds into some cedar woods where I invariably lost her, but finally at the fourth attempt by carefully creeping up I obtained a fair sight at her before she started off the nest. The 2 of the other nest started off nearly as shyly, but soon came back and commenced chirping at me. The nest of this bird cradled between three or four upright stems of the barberry, covered as the bush is at this date by its beautiful pendant blossoms, presents a most elegant appearance. She 2 sits very deep, her back being inside below the curl of the rims of the nest. Heard the loud shrill wheep of My. crinitus but could not get a sight at him. Found a nest of Sp. fusilla sunk in the ground under a ground juniper spray; it contained 4 eggs far advanced; a nest of Boregus myxthus.
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Chy. Junius 1875. June 7 in a barberry with one young bird & 2 eggs one quite fresh, that I found also a nest of Gant, nests newly finished 2 D. Pennsylv. with 2 egg each & took a third found on the 3rd with 4 eggs Found a nest of Camp. minimus on the horizontal branch of a yellow pine 20 ft up and almost in the very part where Henry H. & I examined one in 1870. Have not seen a single Trochilus Colubis since the migration & them only on or two. Cyanospiza cyanea is also very rare as well as Co. Americanus, C. erythrope is more than ordinarily abundant. The forest trees are now in full leaf and the season progressing rapidly. Mosquitoes fairly swarm this summer in the woods, and are a great pest. Chy. Junius has been abundant in the apple orchards during the past week, Previous to that I have seen none since some time in the winter; like the crossbills this movement seems utterly unexplainable, and beyond the possibilities of conjecture as to cause & motive. June 8 Clear and not very warm. Rose late from up my journal and started at 11 A.M. for the green heron's nest that I left in the same swamp but arriving there found the whole affair gone. On the way back took a turn in the Maple swamp near Fresh jr crossing and while making my way through the thick bushes came across a L Gertrude's Philo and shot her but at so close range that
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Geothlypis Philadelphia List of Dend. Visors Middlesex Co., Mass. 144 MASS. ( Middlesex Co.) 1875. June 8 as a Yellowrun she was nearly worthless. She was very tame and chipful at one in exactly the same tone as an oriole bird, and so anxiously that I more than half suspected she had a nest somewhere in the vicinity; upon direction I found the ovaries but slightly enlarged, little more so in fact than in a fall bird. Heard several trills of both species and shall make another effort for this nests. After dinner had my horse harnessed and drove up to Wansley when I found my combination knife which I lost a week ago. Also visited a nest in a yellow pine which I climbed to on the 3rd inst (p.189) and found empty. To my great delight I found a J D. visor sitting upon it, and again ascending discovered that it contained a beautiful set of 4 fresh eags and one of N. pecoris. The J flew off before I got half way up the tree and beyond an occasional chip and a few peeps at one now and then from a neighboring red cedar, she joined but with anxiety. The nest was saddled upon a horizontal limb about 6 ft. from the main trunk, 20 from the ground and perhaps 3/4 way up as the tree grew. Continuing on I visited five nests of D. Penni. discovered at different times and most of them in the town of Goff's, found two looked on deserted with one egg, a fourth with four and the fifth with five eggs. Also found
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Breeding habits of R. Pennsylvanica 1875. June 8 Middlesex Co., Mass. another nest with 4 eggs well advanced, 3 of these nests now in barberry bushes two in hazel and the remaining one in a bush unknown to me. Now are one 4ft above the ground. The Q of this species sits closer than any bird I know. I looked at one steadily for several minutes with my face within less than a foot of her; her beautiful dark eyes returned my glance steadily enough but the rapidly pulsating beats of her heart were plainly visible and betrayed her fear. When started off the nest they made no boisterous plaint but with drooping wings and spread tail remained within a few yards of me as if desiring to put in a mute appeal for mercy. Northern migrants all gone except Chry, which I made again to day. Least R. striata on the 6th inst. June 10 Clear and warm. Rained in torrents all day yesterday and last night and the news- papers report a fall of 5 inches. This is the first rain that we have had for many weeks. After this morning struck off into the swamps and hunted hard for rails' nests but did not find any though I saw and heard many of the birds. The water in the swamps was very high at least 12 inches higher than before the rain. Found 4 nests of Mel. palustris in one little corner of the swamp.
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Ardetta epilis 8, Nests of M. Melanotis Middlesex Co., Mass. June 10 The first two contained five young each, all nearly able to fly. In one nest however four out of the five were cold and stiff-- killed by the rains while the 5th survivor sat on top of the mortal heap and chirped loudly for food. The other two nests contained 4 & 5 eggs respectively, all perfectly fresh. These latter were evidently second nests of the two that I robbed May 27th & June 1st (nests "B/s" and "D/s") as they were placed within 20 yds of the original sites. The first was built on the top of a tussock, the other under a canopy of dry grasses. Found also a nest of G. trichas with 4 newly fledged. It was raised above the water to the height of about 12 inch and supported between the stems of a small bush. While feeding about in this swamp a fine adult & Ardetta epilis started from the top of a water willow when he had been sitting and flying a few rods, bit again in a tall bush; as I cautiously approached him he spread at one with outstretched neck and walked out along the branch a few steps exactly so I have seen the green heron do. Finally getting within long range I shot him dead with the Stevens pistol. His stomach was entirely empty, the testes at the maximum state of development. I have little doubt but that he was the mate of the & Idist on the 27th ult. Here I also came across a pair of Rallus Vir. that were accom- pañied by a brood of young. Both M. old birds were very bold coming up within ten feet of me and
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Mrst. of S. cuticilla Youngs Battus Virginicus 1875. Middlesex Co., Mass. June 10 uttering continually a shrill angry squeal that reminded me of the cry of young pig when startled. I could not find any of the chicks but upon moving off a little distance I soon heard their feeble piping as they called to one another and this presents: this same life is indistinguishable from that of the S. Carolina as heard last season. In the maple swamp I found just 1 Seth cuticella & fresh egg & on J.E. quinimus with 4 ditto. The former was in rather an exceptional situation--in the fork of a low thick bush about 3 ft. above the ground. This morning while walking up Sparks St. I heard a most disagreeable racket in Dr. Weyman's yard and going in found about 20 spadefoot toads floating about on its surface. Many of them were paired and copulating while the single males employed their time in bellowing like so many bulls of Bashan floating on the surface and at each cry distending the loose skin of the throat like the Bufo one under similar circumstances. Procuring a net at the house I caught three pairs which I put in a tank of water in my room. They remained attached to each other all that day and the following night when they separated and I found that the 2's had deposited large quantities of spawn differing in appearance not at all from that of the toads & frogs at large. The 2's were 147
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148 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 June 10 Spade footed Toad - their notes and habits June 10 - 1875 at least 1/3 larger than this note. While the [illegible] was being laid, the S clung to the O clasping her tightly around the horns; if pulled forcibly apart she would immediately resume this contact upon being put back into the tank. All through the day and night of the 10th they sang incessantly in the pond above Hubbard's as well as in Mr. Hubbard's opposite & in that on the Winchester place, but by the next day all was still and we have not heard them since. As much as I can ascertain they were not heard in any of the above spots previous to the morning of the 10th or that they came out only one day & night. The last time that I heard them before this was some time in the Spring of 1866 or '67 in the same pond (As it is). All the nests that I found today were thoroughly soaked by the heavy rain, June 11th. Clear and warm with good breezes. Took the 6.15 train to Lincoln and walked from there to Concord spending the whole day searching in the woods for nests. My first find was a nest of Rhea grisea (presumably) in an old orchard. The O was sitting on three eggs which were on the point of hatching. The entrance hole was as usual very small and neat. The interior cavity measured 5 inches and had an average diameter of about 3. The old bird did not come out until I
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Bot. Henderson? Nests of S. auracea 149 Hos. infus, Yurdus fus. Piers subsens. Middlesex Co., Mass. 1875. June 11 made an aperture on a bank with the egg and poked her quite forcibly with my finger. Nest saw a pair of Hirundo sublata on the shore of Sandy Ford and watched the S into the nest. I was but partially completed and was in a very exposed situation being hung from the topmost twig of a White Olive sapling not over 5 ft high. Continuing on I saw numbers of Pyranza ruba and first 3 males but found only one nest S that empty. Saw also three S Hel. chrysifus. One of them sang invariably either see de de de de or see de de de de de — near less than 4 final syllables. Heard a S My Canadensis singing vigorously in the swamp when they annually bred but could not find the nest. Took then nests of S. auracea. two with 4 the third with 5 eggs all pretty well advanced. Also found a nest of Yfor. infus built in the ground under the roots of a sound oak both 2 eggs and a nest of Y? fuscens very prettily placed in an old fallen oak top among the dead leaves and on the top of a hill. Left in P.M. I struck into John Moore's meadow and soon heard the shrill of my old friend Bot. Henderson. Found two males and both evidently had nests as they chirped at me continuously as long as I remained near the place; did not shoot at
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150 MSS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. June 11 Rest of Wreo Novoracensis Middley Co., Mass. Either as I shall try for the nest again next week. Striking across the fields for the station I heard another singing and chasing him about for a few minutes finally shot him with the pistol. On one occasion I stepped up on a knoll and found him squatted flat on the mud beneath me like a snipe or a woodcock. This bird was in a little pedge pink in a pasture when I never saw one before though I have often been through the place. Here I heard singing all at once C. Hornsby's Express and O. Davanna, York the 6.35 train home. June 14 Chill and cold with high N.W. wind. This at [illegible] was only 40° and heavy frosts reported from parts of N.H. How early and got off by it, Charles driving over up to the foot of the Belmont hill. Hunted for the nest of a pair of Bontop's brails which have frequented the old haunt than all the spring but the birds had apparently gone and I could find no indications of a nest. From there struck up by the mill ponds and over into Waltham. Hunted for some time very carefully for the nest of a pair of Wreo Novoracensis that I had seen in a certain spot in May, and finally found it suspended pretty between the forks of a hazel and about 2 ft high. The 4 was sitting on 4 perfectly fresh eggs and
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Egg of Coc. Am. in nest of C. erythroptalum, Nest of Pyrranga Rubra Middlesex Co., Mass. 151 June 14 allowed me to pass the leaves within Two inches of the nest before she started off. The male was singing just not about 20 yds off. When the ♀ fairly realized that her domicile was discovered she commenced an angry chatter in very much the same key as Mrs. Redon but the male kept on singing meanly curndly and did not put in his appearance with his mate. Continuing one found a nest of Coc. erythroptalum with two eggs of that bird & one of C. Americanus. All three eggs were fresh and each was pierced by a small hole in the side but the contents still intact. The identity of the nest was established beyond doubt by numerous tail and wing feathers of the parent lying in and about it. Evidently the sitting bird had been seized and devoured on the spot by some rapacious bird, probably an owl, and the eggs left without a protector, were pierced by a jay or other bird. Next visited the Pyrranga's nest found on the 5th inst. and found the ♀ sitting on 4 eggs. She allowed me to climb nearly to the nest before starting off when she down almost perpendicularly to the ground and made off with her wings & sprad tail. Soon she appeared with her mate and both set off an angry chip chase which they continued to long as I remained in the vicinity. Charles took me up at 1 and I started
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152 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 June 14 the house in time for dinner. On P.M. started off again and drove up into Prospect St. When I tried and visited the nest of [illegible] found on the 7th inst. It contained two eggs which I took. The parent birds sat in a neighboring oak and looked on as I disposed their treasure with perfect apparent unconcern. Took a nest of N. Penns. Found the dam date 3 moth (day) Heggs. Started a g group with a brood of young. She made a great fuss flitting along the ground & making a pitious noise exactly like a dog when whining for admission at a closed door. I can only on chick but presume there are more. It was apparently about a well fed. Dwell and very abundant. I see or hear them every day. Sometimes the male calls Bob White continuously 10 or 2 dozen times in succession without the slightest interval between the ordinarily sparse utterances. Their songs are apparently at their height as they are very loving now so than I have observed them to be before. All the fall notes are fully and. June 15 Clear and rather warm. Met Harry Bailey at Watertown by appointment and taking the train to Watertown we spent the day in that town hunting for nests, and late in the afternoon walked down through Wauky to Adams Place when we took the horse car home. Had most miserable luck taking
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Vireo olitaris, brood of young cock MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. June 15 absolutely nothing worthy of mention. Found two nests of Vireo olitarius (4 & eggs well advanced); a nest of Sethe. buteulata well along; and a nest of D. risors in a yellowspine about 20 ft. up, with the lining torn out and empty. The I was singing near the spot and probably the Lord nest was somewhere near. Found a pair of Vireo olitarius in a piece of heavy timber and a few strips of bark etc. attached to a pendant oak twig about the height of one's head indicated perhaps the site of the future nest. Stumbled upon a brood of four cock in @ tall maple & oak growth near a brook. Two of the young saw first that the old 2 and crept the two remaining youngs. They now lying close together but scattered in all directions at the first bow. Marking one of the young birds carefully I flushed him again when he went off in good style for some 200 yds. At this the mother bird which had disappeared at the first alarm over a scroll, came back and flying slowly by with dangling legs bit within ten yards and with wings wide spread fluttered off over the leaves trying poor thing to induce us to follow her. The young were about two-thirds grown or the size of an English snipe. Neither they nor the parent produced any audible whistling etc in flying. I think this is the 2nd clutch of the same parents that I noticed of their eggs in Apr.
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154 1875. June 16. First day of trip to Mts. Wachusett at Monandoc wth J. B. Melvin June 16 - 1875. Cloudless but very smoky. Not very warm. Left Cambridge at 12.15 and arrived at Concord at 12.15 where I put up my horse and took dinner with Jim M. On the way up found a nest of Py. subra on an oak branch overhanging the road and standing up on the seat of my buggy I ascertained that it contained two eggs which I left in hopes of more on any return. Also saw a quail in the road near Hardy's pond, which running along ahead in the road, easily kept ahead of my trotting horse for a considerable distance. At 1.35 we left Concord in my buggy with Jim's horse for the motive power. The road passes through the villages of Assabet Stow, Bolton Lancaster Sterling & Princeton to the Half or Mountain house half way up Wachusett where we pulled up at 4.30 P.M. From Concord to Sterling the road is very good and the scenery more than usually beautiful though perfectly typical of Mass. The remaining six miles are very hard ones almost one continuous hill. Stenella majora was abundant all the way up but was not seen I think beyond Princeton. A single quail was heard in Stow and two others at the foot of the mountain in Princeton. The first Tordus pallasi I saw about a mile E. of the latter town, had a first rate supper and spent the evening on the piazza of the Mountain house. Had a slight shower at 7 P.M. Antrostomus vociferous heard singing near the house. Distance from Concord 35 miles.
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1875. June 17 Second day — Ascent of Wachusett — Drive to Bridge etc.—155 Chordless but very smoky & somewhat warm in forenoon. Started up the mountain immediately after breakfast. The distance to the summit is 4/5 of a mile but we occupied nearly an hour in getting over it stopping often by the way to listen to Bird or examining the ferns of which very many beautiful and varied forms abounded. The entire upper half of the mountain is covered with a dense growth of oak, walnut, birch and maple, their comparative abundance ranking nearly in the order in which they had named. Near the summit rather stunted growth of the first & constitutes almost exclusively the arboreous vegetation and here I was much pleased in detecting the first typical forms [illegible] of the Canadian flora in the bunch berry (in full blossom) abundant, and the berries of which about 40 stunted examples were noticed. Roaming about the door of the
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156 1875 June 17 and also a single plain villager and three solitaries, the two latter with my. crinton not being visited afterwards during our journey towards V into N.H., At 8 P.M. we left the Mountain house after a good dinner, and made the town of Windage by 7.30 A. by 7.30 P.M. a distance of about 24 miles. Passing through Westminster depot and Ashburnham. Very quickly does the flora and to a certain extent the fauna, change after leaving Massachusetts. Spruce, larches and trees grow now freely intermingled with the more cosmopolitan birches and maples, the bunchberry grew along the roadside everywhere and the hermit thrush became one of the commonest birds. A few miles N. of Ashburnham and I think within our state line the road passed through a large swamp—just such a swamp as in we would harbor the Spruce grouse and the Canada Jay, and here stopping a moment to listen I was much pleased at hearing a old male Blackburnice in full song and undoubtedly breeding. At this place we also listened a long time to that most delicious of all bird melody, the song of the hermit thrush; the bird was I think the finest performer that I ever heard and the tones of his calm lofty series were given with a depth and clearness of intonation absolutely faultless. Passing several beautiful ponds where the loons were now told bred, we put up for the night at the Bridge hotel.
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Third day - From Ridge to Jeffrey. 1875- June 17 Left by one Sheldon. This our first heard of the porcupine which for some distance was found sparingly in the neighborhood. Heard another Antrostomus this evening. June 18 Rose this morning to find it raining in torrents with a high wind from the Eastward. Spent the forenoon in the barn gossiping with my host and the town loafers who dropped in at frequent intervals to exchange congrat- ulations on the heavy rain which they said was badly needed and would do much good. At 11 A.M. we had the man harnessed and drove to Jeffrey distant 6 miles when we arrived in time for dinner. On the road saw a bittern and heard a My. Canadensis. There are four hotels in the place but one selection the Central house, was I think the best, and we soon soon made supremely comfortable in a large old fashioned corner room with a blazing wood fire on the hearth. In the afternoon to kill time we made a call on a retired horse jockey in the neighborhood, and were much amused by his grotesque idioms of speech and brilliant originality of manner. He had some very fine animals in his stable but was unwilling to part with them at any but exorbitant figures. Retired early in evening.
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158 1875. July 19 Clear with frequent intervals of clouds, and much haze. Started immediately after breakfast & drove to the Mountain house half way up Monadnock, when we left our team and ascended the rest of the way on foot. The path was very steep and the walking difficult. Reaching the summit we found the view almost as badly obscured by haze as that from Wachusett on the 17th inst. As soon satisfied our curiosity and reached the central house by 1.30 P.M. Monadnock is very rich a mountain, 3800 ft. above the sea and with a fine picturesque outline. All arborescent vegetation ceases some 300 ft. below the summit which is rocky and windswept with a few grasses ferns etc. growing in the hollows. Above or at the edge of the timber line were heard Junco hyemalis, Pipilo erythrop. Geothlypis trichas & Helmin. ruficapilla. Lower down found Virens, Pans atricapillus, Cherdes migratorius, & Hirundo socialis. Below the Mountain house Diceroica maculosa Pennsylvanica at Blackburn's (one of each latter shot) and in the pasture land near the barn Poecetes gramineus. In a little hollow among the rocks above the sharply defined timber line were a few shrub oaks and here was singing Hel. ruficapilla Pipilo ery, and S. trichas. The latter bird seemed abundant all over the mountain and their songs were I thought very different from those of England birds, sounding as they
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1875 June 19 Fifth day - Sunday at Groton 159 and drive to Concord Did in a peculiarly rich wild warble. Both the D. maculosa and the Blackburnian war in full song and undoubtedly breeding. In the afternoon drove 25 miles through New Ipswich and Townsend to Groton when we got up for the night at the Central house kept by a Mr. Yboar. In a larch swamp 5 miles S. E. from Gaffrey I heard E. Chailli' distinctly, and at Townsend Barro glorius (and Dend. aestiva were noted) for the first time since leaving Princeton, I did not see or hear Mniotilta varia anywhere in N. H. Carpodacus purpureus was seen or heard in nearly every village during the trip. Sunday June 20 Cloudless and warm. Spent the forenoon strolling about the town which is very beautiful with rows of fine old elms and substantial looking residences. At 3 P.M., after [crossed out] started for home and got into Concord by 6. 30. After supper had my horse harnessed and with John drove out to Minot Pratt's farm Mr. Pratt is a botanist and showed us a number of rare ferns that he had brought from different places and transplanted on his farm. He pointed out a hole [illegible] huge elm which over- shadows the brown elms 40 feet above the ground. A pair of Sests (was) had this season bred: still young had been seen in the trees this morning.
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Sixth day - Drive from Concord to Cambridge. Nests of Vireo solitarius et olivaceus and Paparanga rubra. June 24 Clear and very warm. Left Concord at 9.30 A.M. and arrived at Cambridge by 12, Stopped first to examine the Tanager's nest in Lincoln woods which I discovered on the 16th. The Q was sitting and as in the case of the one examined last week fluttered directly down to the ground upon being started off. She had laid the usual complement of eight, which although but 4 days at the outside had chicks all formed. Next visited the Vireo solitarius' nest at Sandy Fond found on the 11th inst. It contained 4 beautiful eggs upon which the S parent was sitting. He allowed me to almost touch him with my hand, then starting off he lit in an oak near by and commenced at once singing most energetically, continuing without intermission during the time that I occupied in picking the eggs etc., nor if I did not see at all. And when I left the grove the S was still singing steadily (See p. 149) A nest of Vireo olivaceus in an oak within ten yards of the S solitarius, I also found nearly completed on the 17th contained 4 eggs incubated 2 or 3 days. A little Nest of Hardy's Fond I came across a S grown with a brood of about a dozen young feeding in the road and stopping the horse suddenly enjoyed a fine opportunity of watching the pretty little fellows. They ran about exactly like so many newly hatched chickens: Don't foursome would find a feed or other
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Young Ruffed George (MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 161 Test of Heydemiles Sudoriana) 1875 June 21 Favorry mortal and start off, hotly pursued by two or three envious and less fortunate Companions. The old hen walked away slowly with a firm erect tread and once whipped up on a fallen log and called out creak, c-a-r-c-reek to collect her Scotland brood, which came running in at the summons from all directions. They ran I should think about a week old, and when I finally drew up, all took wing and flew up onto a stone wall and into low bushes etc. I upon my remaining spirit a few moments began to hush out in a high anxious key, scree, scree, screep. While watching these birds I saw a g Heydemiles Sudoriana go into a nest which was but partially completed. Spent the P.M. in writing, blowing eggs etc. June 23 Clear and warm? off after breakfast driving up to Prospect St when I tied and spent the forenoon hunting for the second nests of the B. discolor found on the 7th inst. but although one of the B was singing in the old spot I could not find the nest. Saw young or wing of Var. Rufus Boccygus erythroptthalmus, and Mel. melodia. Got in to dinner. A & Cy. cyana has built two nests in an garden and desated both shortly after completion for the 2nd can laying one egg. The first nest was in a pear tree 2nd in albee.
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162 Breeding habits of the marsh wrens MASS (Middlesex Co.) 1875 June 26 Clear and cool with E. wind, off after breakfast striking up to the Block is meadows when I searched a long time for marsh wren's nest. Finally found one of C. palustris with 5 fresh eggs. The birds were quite plenty and almost everywhere when I found a & singing I quickly discerned several fols nests. In one place I found 4 within an area of ten yards, Some are built in the top of a tussock others among coarse saw grass or flags all very conspicuous and lined with mud. The nest containing the eggs was suspended between the stalks of some rather fine grasses and lined with fine grass a little down and a few feathers .. It was quite as conspicuous as any of the fols ones, and within ten yards was one of that description. The male begins to scold as soon as you approach any of the nests and I think his mate leaves her eggs at the first alarm as I shot a & in another place, which had evidently been incubating a long time but which flew out of the meadow when his mate signaled my presence and took to a thicket of alders on a hill side. C. mellius was also abundant in the same meadows I shall try again for their nests. The song of C. palustris varies but the most common version is sick sick, a-rick-a-sick-a-sick. In V.M. visited the spot in Waltham when with Bailey I saw a pair of Vires solitariae on the 15th inst. Searching a little while I found it perched from a maple twig 7 ft up and 3 from the trunk of the tree. The & was sitting and out
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MASS. (Middlesex.) 1875 Nest of Vireo solitarius Cackling of Porzana Carolina June 26 The last moment flew up into a neighboring Tree and commenced chattering shrilly, & like V. flavifrons, this brought the 3d. and both scolded me just shortly while I was taking the eggs. The latter were four, mostly fresh. Last evening while sitting on
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164 1875 July 5 Several hours out again and hat the land behind Browns but without seeing any birds though we found "Corking" etc. Many birds are yet in full song. On July 2d I visited a nest of Hg. Bodoriana found building on the 21st ult. and took it with one egg which appear to be the complement as it contained a small embryo and the presence of both birds in the vicinity sufficiently assured that the nest had not been disturbed or destroyed. July 8 Took the 4 P.M. train yesterday with J.H.T. Nichols for "the Cape", and aboard at W. Barnstable at 6.40. Found Mr. Jones at the depot and by 7.30 we were put down at Capt. Bayters. This morning started off with the Capt. in "the Star" and spent the whole day on the water. Returning came around the island through South Bay until when opposite Otivith we were becalmed and had to row in the rest of the way. As the sun was setting the scenery was most lovely - everything so peacefully quiet and beautiful. The most characteristic birds in the park was evidently D. juna, D. pallasi, C. trichas and Pipilo erythroph. Their abundance ranking in the order in which I have named them. D. juna is surprisingly numerous; I frequently had three males singing at one march other, Next in abundance comes Parula cow
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Trip to Marston's Mills, 165 1875. July 8 and last Dnd. discol. of which I took two mals. Herboetus leucostomus is quite common and I saw fin or six mostly immature birds. Capt. P.B. says they feed on the ponds back in the woods. In the open country Poertis graminus and Sturnella magna with Olype Rei, are the most abundant forms. The aggregate variety number of species, excluding of course littoral and oceanic varieties, I must be exceedingly small. Spent most of the day trolling for blue fish with Buck's flypoor and good and bad but only struck one, a fine fish which I played for fin or ten minutes but which ultimately escaped. July 9 clear and warm. Off at 8 A.M. in the Star. Nichols not feeling well and remaining on shore. Spent the entire day on the water fishing for blue fish of which I got as yesterday, I hooked a large one and after some fine play lost. While sailing quietly through a narrow channel came upon a Batorides vincens fishing; he crawled rather than walked along the muds with neck drawn in, bearing a striking resemblance to a huge mud turtle; at frequent intervals he would shoot out his bill almost horizontally and jidging by the waddling motion that succeeded, many very thrust was successful. Another beautiful sunset burnt throughs arising most gloriously.
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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
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Breeding of the marsh wrens 167 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 July 13 had either eggs or young in the vicinity. She was so shy that I found it impossible to get a shot flying short distances but always keeping out of range and uttering her note at frequent intervals. She flew quite strongly rather than in that feeble flickering way usual when started, and invariably let in the tops of the bushes. Picking up th one that I had shot I found it in superb plumage. Its stomach was crammed with numbers of small silvery minnows about 2 inches in length. Keeping on up to the upper meadows I found the marsh wrens still abundant at Block Island, and shot them 6 palustris 2 & 1 c. Examined all the false nests found on the 26th ult., and found them all empty. In one place when on that date I found four of these nests within a few yards, another had been added and was built within 2 ft. of one discarded at that time. The male must spend nearly all this time at this work as I found several nests but just commenced. What the object can be I cannot imagine. I have sometimes thought that these extra nests were intended for use in case of destruction but observations will not bear this out. Near the nest that I robbed on the 26th ult. was a false one but the birds had not laid in it, although within two yards of it the bird has since constructed a new one which I am
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168 July 13, 1875. inclined to think so for the 2nd clutch of eggs as it is well lined with various soft grasses wool etc. while all the falcon ones that I have examined were simply lined with mud. Unfortunately I cut down this just before noticing the above facts. The bird was within a few yards of it but tho' I did not see it, I think that it must had evidently been incubating a long time; as usual she had left the nest before I was aware of her presence and I was unable to discern it. Saw several broods of young bobolinks flying about. Reached the house by noon. July 14 Spent yesterday (Sunday) at the Isles of Shoals (Oceanic hour Star is) and this morning took the 10, 30 train from Portsmouth for Portland Me., where I arrived at 12. 30 and "put up" at the Profile house. In the afternoon called upon Mr. Francis W. Smith, the gentleman who wrote concerning Sterna Portlandica in the Am. Sportsman last winter. I found him a very pleasant fellow, born 25 yrs. of age. He received me very cordially and drove me one to Brooks Point, Seabrook, where we had a good supper and returning by moonlight reaching the city by 11 P.M. He has most two specimens of S. Portlandica both the same day, at Seabrook and as nearly as he can remember on the 20th Aug. 1875. Has also thrimbles from the bird pine. He is very keen of the correctness of his identification.
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Green is, Casco Bay, Me. July 20 - 1875 1875 July 20 Went down to Smith's office after breakfast, but he was so busy that he found himself unable to get off with me as he had hoped. Was introduced to Mr. Merrill one of the leading sportsmen of the city & a very pleasant gentleman. Returning to the hotel got my traps and took the 10.30 boat for Peaks island 3 miles from the city. After a good dinner at Yous' hotel tried to get a boatman to take me out to the Green islands but all were afraid or something to attempt it as they said the weather was so rough that it would be impossible to land. Finally however found a man Bittlejohn by name, who agreed to make the attempt and at 4 P.M. we got off in a small open boat, with cat rigged, and with exceedingly shaky looking riggings. Running out through the channel between Peaks & Cuthings' idls, we were soon on the open ocean with the waves "combing" on all sides of us but continuing steadily on we reached the group of Green islands by 4.35 and casting anchor under the lee of the larger one landed early enough in a small boat which we had brought in tow. This island rose almost perpendicularly out of the sea in cliffs of soft shelly rock to the height of some 40 ft, the top almost as level as a table and covered with a growth of lupulant grasses that nearly overwhelmed my head as I forced my way through them. Only in one or two spots did the bare rock crop out
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Breeding habits of the terns Dress is Me 170 1875 July 20 Through the soil, On this and a neigh- boring small island (Gunk of Port) I am breeding about 20 pairs of Chroic atricilla, 6 do of Sterna hirundo 15 do S. macrura, and perhaps 10 pairs of S. paradisica. In addition to this, are a colony of Eophy riparia (did not see any sandbank) members of Tringa macularia and very abundantly Passerculus parvanna. The terns were very shy, the gulls much less so. I shot 5 of the latter shortly after landing, losing one however which fell in the water. Finding that more of the terns would come within range I concealed myself in the long grass and in an hour better took 6 S. macrura and 3 S. hirundo. The difference between the notes of S. hirundo & macrura are very slight and although I confirmed such decisions by shooting the bird, Still I am not sure that I could pronounce safely in all cases. S. macrura seems to possess all the notes of S. hirundo but they are all rather harsher & more rancous (especially the scolding ones). I could not detect the slightest difference in flight or actions. The S. paradisica were the shyest of all but I am sure of my identification as the cloth ripping note is not to be mistaken. They seemed to keep by themselves and I everal times saw what was probably the whole colony from 15 or 20 bird flying along together in a close body. Some of these birds would 'hone' on
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July 20 - 1875 one of this kind that fell on land -- though they did for a few minutes one [illegible] that dropped in the water. In contrast with Musket (See July 1874), the terms here seemed to be on perfectly good terms with the C. atricilla. The latter after I had killed several of this number, collected together in a loose body and breasting the strong wind with just sufficient flapping to keep their position remained in the air for during the rest of the afternoon in one place at times in -- bulging in a wild burst of demonic laughter. Among the tall grass were many path and little openings trampled down by the birds but no nests now found. My boatman brought me a young gull only a few days old which he said he had found on the rocky beach at the foot of the cliffs. It keep up a continuous querulous cry of hunger or distress and when put down afford either able or unwilling to walk. The Arctic terns when wounded were very fine and bit my hand quite forcibly; this I had never noticed with the other species. Both sexes of S. macrorhynchos menbachii; as shown by the bare spots, only the first with C. atricilla only the young bird shows them. Both Messrs. Smith and Willey assured me upon my return to the city that petrels (probably Y. beachii) bred on the smaller island.
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172 1875. July 20. "Junk of Pork" which I did not visit. The latter gentleman also affirmed that at the time of his last visit at least a thousand terns were breeding on the islands & he could not account for the small number that I saw. Certainly 40 pairs would be a large estimate of the number as I found them. Leaving the island about sundown we had a very rough passage back but reached Peaks Island by 8 P.M. and taking the 9 P.M. Steamboat for the city I passed the night again at the Peeble house. I forgot to mention the fact that a flock of about 100 lesser egrettes came off the smaller island at my first shot and quickly disappeared. All were in immature plumage and we saw about the same number last night at Scarborough resting on the flats. Probably the bird never breeds the first year. July 21 In the forenoon visited Willys Taxidermy shop. He had 5 Ardetta gulls & a fine Herodias egretta all shot at Portland this season. Also some for 5 Sons. Quetables taken then last winter. He has taken his Princeps the 15 of March last and ever two Mil. Lincoln's at different times. The harlequin duck used to occur frequently in days in large flocks but is now rarer. Took the 2.35 train on the B. & M. for home and arrived in Boston at 7. Found everything all right as usual.
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Ardetta Eillis—Young. 1875 July 25 Cloudy and sultry. In forenoon took a walk up to the swamps. Started three least bitterns out of low bushes on the edge of pond holes and shot two of them, one an adult, 6' th other a young bird just or wings and evidently one of the brood that I heard calling as week or two ago. This latter bird fell wounded into the water when it quickly paddled ashore and made an inefficient attempt to conceal itself away the tussocks. Upon picking it up, it struck out at me several times in the manner of the Botaurus minor, and with a motion as quick as light: (crossed) thrust bitting my hand drove the bill quite through the skin drawing blood. Counting shot along the edges of a few of the pools Ie started three rails all of which I shot, two were foras young birds in fall plumage, the other a Virginia in that curious mixed plumage peculiar to young birds at this season. All were full grown and flew well. Entering the maple swamp I found a nest of Chry. tristis in a tall Swamp maple, 125 ft. up and quite inaccessible. The e was sitting and kept up a continual twitting which guided me to the spot. This seems to be a regular habit as I noted at the lake in 1873. Nearly all the young birds are out and many had acquired already the fall plumage. I saw a brood of A. Penn, at Willsley on the 26th in that condition: one of them a young 6' was singing already in a practising strain
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174 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. July 28 And a number of young D. aestiva air in our linden trees every morning. Adult birds sing very freely still in rainy or cool cloudy weather and early in the morning, but in the hot noontide all nature are silent (with one or two exception as thrush, tristis). The young Cardette found on dissection a 6'; the stomachs of both were crammed with Coleoptera entirely, especially a large species of water beetle. Several Gray, tristis which I shot to day had their crops filled [illegible] with green pulpy seeds. Members of this genus eat very few insects I think at any season. July 30 Clear and comparatively cool with good breeze. Off immediately after breakfast Charles driving me up to Wansley. Entering the woods on the hill I found them filled with saw- laborers with their tip carts, shovels, picks, and axes, cutting down, digging up, burn- ing and laying waste generally; upon inquiry I found that the Somerville Asylum had purchased the land 150 acres wall and come to locate their institution in these beautiful woods; thus almost the very last of my favorite haunts has received its death sentence of desecration. Dodging partial outlying "Superintendents and bodys" I passed rapidly through the woods and did not pause until I had got into the swamp behind Cheney's. Here I commenced shooting and visiting a number of favored spots in succession
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Habits of the young warblers 175 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. July 30 - 1875 July 30. I took a very fair bag of 9 young birds, the best D. virbi 2 D. jina 1 M. vascá 1 S. jusilla 1 D. discor 2 S. Betulorum 1 & C. atratus 1. The habit of many different species assembling together in one large flock I find obtains here at this season nearly as much as in Me. I found to Day Sparrows, warblers, titmice, wood- pigeons etc., keeping company indiscriminately often as many as one hundred or more individuals being assembled in an area of a few hundred yards, very few birds were singing in the woods. I heard one tanagers and an indigo birds but the only species that performed at all frequently was S. jusilla. I found a robin's nest with 2 eggs, the parent bird sitting thereon. In a swamp heard a note entirely new to me, a long drawn plaintive whistle uttered with a rising inflection, Started a very large woodcock under apple trees but he was so shy that I got only one long shot and missed. Very few if any birds have left us yet, except the swallows; they are getting rarer daily and I hear and see them frequently flying over at a great height. The Orchard-masters are however still about their breeding places and a few of each of the other species are still to be found in the meadows. Bee-hives are commencing to sing regularly and I still hear a few -- [illegible] -- toads in the swamps
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Robin Roost Aug. 4-1875 Aug. 4 Clear and warm. We are now fairly into the dog days. The weather is not so speedingly hot, as oppressively sticky. It usually came once or twice each day - showers that fail to cool the air but leave it sometimes even more [illegible] unbearable than before, and everything fairly cleaning. The cicada is now in full blast and the crickets are tuning up already for the grand Sept. Chorus. A few birds have come down from the N. and some of ours have departed. Hummingbirds are getting very abundant and an undoubtedly N. Birds as very few bred thus this season: I see them frequently in the B swamps, and Meynard has shot a dozen or so in a bed of flocks at this place. The flock of the bobolink, now collected in autumnal flocks, I hear away right and also the faint leap of an occasional warbler both this Roost went up to "Block is" late in the P.M. and stayed till dark, watching the flight of birds into the marsh swamp where they have for years roosted. For the space of two hours then was a steady stream pouring in from all directions and distances. At 6 P.M. the flight commenced, Rails, Owens Aeg. Phoenicus, and Notothus Jacoris coming in flocks of from 50 to 200. At 7 P.M. then these species ceased flying and the robins commenced, and continued till it was nearly too dark to distinguish the forms against the sky. A few swallows (H. horreorum et riparia) also flew in and went to roost among the others. I calculated
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Ardetta xiphis 177 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Aug. 4. The number of birds that passed my station was at least 25,000 and probably as many more came in from the other side. As late as I remained in the vicinity they kept up a continual conversational chatter all over the swamp. This forenoon I took a short turn up through the lower swamp; shot an adult & Ardetta xiphis in rather worn plumage; its stomach contained a number of small beans & sund pickrel. Also shot a young N. Gardenia a y.y. Porzana Carolina and 6 Eremotas petrifacius. The latter I killed on the flats in Cambridge took out of a flock of over a hundred among which were 2 dozen or more Aug. Semipalmatus & 1 Gambetta flamipes, Aug. 9 Clear and hot. Weather for the past two weeks has been anywhere between 80° and 95° during the day. Went up into the swamps this afternoon and collected a few birds among them an adult & Ardetta xiphis and a do. Cistothorus Ocellaris. The latter species I found quite abundant around Block is. The males were in full song and good plumage and a dissection of the specimen shot revealed the fact that the duties of incubation had just commenced, as a comparison of the testes with those of a & Chrysomitis tristis (taken) showed a perfectly mature condition in the former and a state of decided decline in the latter birds. This quite satisfactory saw the first fly. Obituaries
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178 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Loath breeding of C. Stellaris - Evening flight of Rall. Oryzivorus Aug.9 accounts for the fact that the eggs an to rarely taken - the bird being evidently an even later breeder than the Chrysomotis, Aug.10 Clear and hot. Went off to the swamps again this I.M. with young Danelson. Waited near Block is. for the morning flight of birds and saw them come against an extraordinary numbers. The (mass) crows(Pastors) was singing steadily on all sides and I hunted a long time in vain for a nest among grass as tall as myself. The Bobolinks came in by thousands to roost in the fresh water meadows, after spending the day on the salt marshes. Wanting some specimens for bagpaled articles in their line of flight and killed 8 or 10, I making two dorple shots. They fly much earlier than the other birds which roost in the maple swamp adjacent. I think the rails have nearly if not all left as we reached very slowly for them without flushing a single bird. Aug.13 For the last three or four days I have heard the sharp chip of Sicurus Mooracensis in our garden and to day I started one up from under the sink Sport. They pass most of this time however in a piece of tall corn where they search for food in the earth left moist by its luxuriant shade, and judging by their calls there must be a number of them in the places. Hummingbirds
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Senirus Norbacaum's 179 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Aug. 13. contain very numerous, and start with the water thrushes are I think only Dendroicidal species which have come down from the N. as yet. Birds are doing a little now I think than they were several week back. On the early morning and again at sunset I hear the Baltimore, and three species of Vireo - flaviceps, gilvus et olivaceus; an occasional robin also and sometimes a few notes from Contopus virius. Aug. 17 Cloudy with wind S. E. Took the 9.30 boat for Long is. Boston harbor and arriving at about 10 A.M. walked over to the marsh and began operations. Immense numbers of small birds were flying and I saw one N. Hendersonii, three or four large plovers, a few Actitis tricolors, Bartramus, and two large flocks of Gambetta flaviceps. Shot during the day twenty birds in some 28 shots spending my bird each time and commencing the morning with two double shots in succession. Got four specimens for mounting, three Aegialitis semipalmatus and a very fine adult, Irenza Bonapartii. Nearly all Vth. geepos that I saw or shot were E. petrifex. The difference in the notes of the two species is very tangible; that of I. minutitta is a mellow tweet tweet; while the semipalmatus species utters a brown pep, pep; krep, krep, almost like the peculiar note of I. maculata. The querulous chatter heard from a flock while feeding is I think produced by this
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180 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Aug. 17 Latter bird but I am not yet certain. The zip, zip of P. Bonaparti is peculiar and distinguishable. Saw a single Strepsilas interpe, its flight is a single short battle of four or five notes run together. Took dinner at the Sea View house and returned on the 5.45 boat. Swallows of all four species (also the chimney swifts) literally swarmed on the island, Aug.24 Clear and cool with N wind. The 'dog days' came to an end yesterday when we had the first really cool day since this month came in. This morning I took a turn up to the swamps and returned at noon with a few birds among them a Gambetta flaps which I shot in the pond hole near Mc. Carthy's. In the maple swamp shot a water thrush and a beautiful little jumping mouse. Dendroica aestiva left the swamps 4 or 5 days ago but I saw an in on a linden tree this morning (Aug.21). S. minimus also left about the same time that I secured a single Thrashs this morning in full fall plumage. These two species are the only ones that I am sure on grounds yet. Cortipes virus is abundant and they sing nearly as much now as in June. All the birds in fact sing more now than they did a month ago. That Orioles especially are quite noisy and the young males performably as well as the adult birds. Have seen no Hummers for a week past. Actinus Bestavin I hear our owl place nearly every morning. Have seen no Arctica Birds for a long time and I do not think there is a sail left in!
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 Aug. 24 The swamps, the bulk of the bobshirts are gone but there are still a good many small flocks about. Aug. 21 & 22 I saw several small companies of night hawks passing S. at Sunset; All the swallows are still with me in greater or less abundance. Beside aleyon is getting abundant on York Pond. Nearly all the young Chry. Thrushes are now out of the nests, the chorus of crickets is now at its full height and the cicadas are beginning on the decline. No day I heard the first note of that unknown creature that fills the woods with its discordant chirpings in Sept. Shot 3 preps (one of them a 49. J. ornithite) and a kingfisher or 4 spots flying. Maynard received a young Corvus Carnivorus from Youngsbery Mass a few days since, the first for the state, [I afterwards purchased this specimen] Aug. 26 Clear and cool, Took the 2.30 P.M. boat for Long is. and arriving there found a room at the hotel and immediately set out for the shooting ground. Walking near the edge of a little fresh water pond hole I first startled a small flock of preps and among them two larger birds at which I fired a quick shot at long range and dropping one found that I had secured a very fine Piringeres superans, a young bird in the fall plumage. Its companion lit a short distance off in the pasture but although I chased it about for some time I found it
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Long Island Uringites suffecans Peculiar habits of 182 MASS. (Middlesex Co) 1875 Aug. 26 So exceedingly shy that I was unable to get a mortal shot. I stood in a very erect posture and never moved until it began to approach when it would rise and flying a hundred yards or so light again, its flight was very swift and eccentric: once or twice it performed the most astonishing volutions in the air rising to the height of about 100 feet and then darting zig zag towards the earth with almost incalculable rapidity. When flying past the fawn color of the under parts was very apparent. It uttered continually while on wing a high short truss not very like that of G. maculata. Abbeorton. According to the hill my surprise was great at finding large flocks of peeps (E. Passillus alone recognized) feeding in the pasture land and on on its summit, and among large herds of sheep, cows etc. Setting out some plain deerp I soon got as many shots as I wished at high peeps which were continually flying about and which came down readily to the stool, and firing from 25 shots I found about 18 birds making one double and missing several others. Loater in the afternoon as the tide reached its highest flood the birds came into our pasture in immense numbers lighting everywhere; even that preeminently littoral species Aegialitis semifasciata showing as great a liking for grasshopper diet as the peeps; at least I suppose grasshoppers are the attraction for I could find nothing else save a few little white moths, and the stomach of the Uringites was certainly
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The Greps and Ring Necked Plovers MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. 183 Aug. 26. crammed with the hoppers. At least 100 birds were at one time feeding together presenting a curious and interesting appearance as they ran nimbly about, and when the flock was headed toward me for the first bright green turf seemed fairly alive with animated snow flakes! then in the rear kept constantly flying ahead and dropping in front of their companions so that the flock made rapid progress down the hillside, and reaching the foot all would turn together and after a few wheels fly back to the summit and pitch down again. During the afternoon I did not see a single large bird of any description. Aug. 27 After a sleepless night occasioned by a grand hop in the dance hall under my room when a band of 10 furies played till 3 A.M. I rose at 5:30 and dressing hurriedly went out on the island again but finding no birds of any account flying I returned and took the 8 A.M. boat up to the city. While walking along the edge of the flats I heard a single loud harsh resonant cry almost like the bark of a good and looking up saw a flock of about a dozen terns of large size flying our high up. What they were I cannot imagine as the note has an entirely new how to me.
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184 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) /1875. Aug.28 Clear cool and a lovely day, off after breakfast X taking the car up to Watertown. Fired eight shots with the Stephens pistol but had very hard luck penning only two birds a y.y. Vireo flavifrons (which I mounted) & a do. Icterus Baltimore s. Vireo flavifrons was singing everywhere most beautifully, too and with more sweetness and expression, it seemed to me than in Conn. This bird with Icterus Baltimore and Contopus vireus now forms the B entire feathered choir. Saw several magnificent adult orioles, one of them in particular I thought the brightest I had ever noticed. Saw also on back of Vireo pubescens and Sitta Carolinensis and also a Dendroica which I took to be A striata but am not positive about it. Birds of all kinds are now principally found in flocks, especially the Sparrows. This army While taking a drive with Will Stowd saw a pair of Anas obscura flying low down our Birds pond. Aug.30 Bro at 5 A.M. and went up into the swamps, as far as the Pine swamp. Shot then Vireo flav d & y.y. V. Nortbacaenis but all was mounting so badly that I was obliged to throw them away. Heard a Gambetta mel. flying over the pond and saw a company of 7 or 8 Heg. Sondoise, all in that brown plumage. On the way home shot & Phyg. siltarins from a little company of 5 that were feedin' in the pond hole near Mr. Bartys; all new birds of the year in other than fresh.
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Parula Ama. 1875. Aug. 31 Started immediately after breakfast and took a tramp with W. Stone into the swamp. I shot two Scth. sutcilla, a Miniotta variis a Vireo flav. [addt fin pl.] a Parula Ama. & a Nyctandra Gardenii. The latter bird was an adult moultting nearly all the wing feathers being new! It had only one plumm and the Steel blue of the back and crown was replaced by a dark lustreless plumbeous. The Parula was a young bird moulting pre- paratory to throwing out the full fall plumage. The Heron came flying silently up, as we were sitting together in the cool shade of the maple swamp, and lighted within about 40 yds. when I shot him with a heavy charge of No. 10. Polychoyncs orizorues is still with us in small numbers. Sept. 2 Clear and warm. Wind E. With W. Stone took the 9.30 boat for Long is. and shot thru all day returning at 6.1/2. Found specks very numerous on the hills and setting out our decoys we killed about 75 birds, between none of which 3 & fell to my aim. Nearly all of them were killed singly. Had a long film Minigites Professor's Gun on by E. Swan who picked it up dead. Saw a Hemerius Hudson, and one large plower. Among the specks we killed two O. minutilla, all the rest are & fusilla. Saw two Mac. grisen which were killed from a flock of a dozen that lit on the flats; both our animation birds. Saw also a single Otamus flairfus flying about.
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"Dend. striata, Emp. flaviventris" 186 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Sept. 6 Clear and pleasant. Off for the swamps with Storm immediately after breakfast. Had very poor luck as a brisk S.W. wind made so much noise among the leaves that it was impossible to hear anything. On the flats in Fresh Pond shot two Ag. Dem, an B. fusca & adt. H. minutilla, In the woods took an adult of Sitt. ruticilla, a R. striata and an addt. & Byanospiza cyanea changing to fall pl. Saw also on the pond a single Calidris arenaica, Yesterday (Sunday) P.M. while driving down by the pond saw two Gurguidula discors sitting on the mud in "Bark's nest" preening their feathers and trying my horse I walked down to nearly within gun shot of them. Heard to day that a flock of six appeared on the pond early in the (Sunday) morning and four of them were shot; these two are probably the survivors. Sept 7 Clear cool and a lovely September day. Now at 6 A. M. and started for the swamps. On the mud flats in the Glaeali's pond were a pair of Gambetta flavius and whistling them to me I shot one and missed a very close shot at the other. A few minutes later I heard the note of a G. melanoleuca) in the distance and whistling diligently I soon called him down to me and killed him). Also shot a Botaurus rotarinus flying. In the willows near the brook I saw an Empidonax and shooting it found I had killed E.flavins the first time I ever saw it in Autumn; in a
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Vireo Philadelphius 187 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Sept 7 - 1875 Sept. 7. few minutes I killed another also in an isolated willow tree. Not struck through the maple swamp but saw nothing worthy of note with the exception perhaps of a fly-catcher that was uttering his smashing note among the bushes. The swamps are very lovely now full of wildflowers and the lights & shadows dancing over the ferns in the little green glades. Coming from a piece of good fortune awaited me. In a large willow tree at the foot of the lane I heard a vireo scold: stopping and looking up, I soon spied a Vireo olivaceus, and very soon another, his mate perhaps hopped out in sight. While watching them I saw an adjoining twig shake and looking closely spied still a third vireo—a small one—so small indeed that at once suspected its identity and shot it quickly over. Picking it up I found to my delight that it was a bird new to our state fauna—my long sought little friend Vireo Philadelphius. On dissecting it proved a ♀ and a bird of this year. Arrived at the house by 8 A.M., and with Stone spent the forenoon hunting & recording birds. D. Striata was abundant anywhere this morning. C. Hart Merian arrived this noon from Woods hole and will stay one to-morrow with me. Woodcock an any place everywhere shuffled grass as usual in Sept not to be found. J.C. Webber started only one in an all days tramp last week, only a few returns Baltimore paper.
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188 MASS (Middletown) 1875. Sept. 9 Clear and hot; wind S.W. Rose at 5.30 and started for the swamps. Finding no large birds on the ponds I turned my attention to collecting but found the woods almost destitute of birds. Shot a single Emp. flaviventris, a very fine autumnal specim. of J. fuscascus and a Piro morbraensis. Saw Hirundo horreorum at riparia and bhoctura pelagicus, Hydmecles bondriei, S. morbraensis at aureocapillus, Dol. orizurus etc. After breakfast drove up as far as the Willows with Stow but saw nothing worthy of note. In H.M. with S. went up to Block is. to await the evening flight of blackbirds. Large numbers of Molothrus pucos flew first and we shot two in transitional plumage. Just at dusk all the birds came in one immense flock, a perfect cloud of birds comprised of thousands of individuals; as they approached the working place the hodos swooped down nearly to the ground, all behind imitating the swarm and producing a sound like the wind roaring through the pines in winter. I shot a wild pigeon that was trying on a dead tree in the marsh. Heard a & Ci. stillani singing. Saw two Chordiles prophetus and have seen others migrating at frequent intervals since Aug. 21st. Peters Baltimore left about Sept. 5. Vel. Ruficapilla were all gone by Sept. 11th and probably a little earlier; the last specimen I saw lingered about our linden trees till the last days of August, S. morbraensis is still very abundant and some of the Vicos are showing as yet. Did not recognize any Aglaenus phe. this evening.
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Yardus Swainsoni Oporornis agilis Contemp views Fall singing of the Dreos. Anthus ludovician (dawn on) 1875, Sept. 11 Cold and very cold this falling to 40. Off at 5.30 A.M. meeting Will Stoner in the Swamps he having missed me at the house. No large Birds were wanting me went in immediately for specimens but had very poor luck, The only bird that I got worth Winning was an adult B G. Trichas in most beautiful fall plumage. Shot and spilt a Yardus Swainsoni the first. Saw a little company of Paula Arm. and shooting on found in almost distinct of any saw fine feathers. Saw also Oporornis agilis, I have seen several birds during the week that I refuted with some doubts to this species but this time there was no mistake as I got within 6 ft of the bird; it was uttering its peculiar and indescribable note (a Bird a bird shape almost vibrating sound that has withal a sort of metallic ring to it) and another in the same thicket kept answering it. Dreos flrifess and U. montanaensis were both in full song in the pine swamp and the notes of both but of the latter especially seemed to me to possess a compass and sweet completeness lacking in the spring! Possibly the fine pure air at this season may assist the effect or lend vigor to the performer. The Sparrows are now moultling and in very poor plumage. D. striata is not very abundant yet, Saw two Catlipes birds! It is remarkable that this species which arrives before B. minimus should be the last to leave. The swamps are very dry and we shall probably have no rain this fall.
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Opornis agilis, Bol. originos. Sept. 13 Windy and rained most of the N.M. Closed up at sunset. Started off with Stone after dinner and went up to the swamp. At the foot of the lawn found the same identical pair of Op. agilis seen on the 11th. Both times this birds acted very peculiarly. As I entered the bushes both flew up from the ground and actually seemed almost inclined to resent my intrusion, sitting this peculiar note almost incessantly and walking up the branch on which they at? jerking their tails up at frequent intervals. This latter habit I had never heard before; indeed this actions were altogether different from any that I ever noticed in the agilis before. Both these birds were very tame & I settled their identity beyond any question by shooting both of them. One was very fat, the other quite lean. Saw him & Dennis Nov. also. Went through the maple swamp without getting anything and was just crossing the ditch on the Gleisli edge when a woodpecker flew out of the path without making a particle of sound in his flight. I fired a hasty 12 barrel with impossible shot & missed, following on "Shot" found and pointed him), and as he ran Stone shot and killed him. Striking across to the great meadows we waited for the evening flight of black birds. Stone got a shot into a flock of Mothmats and killed 4. I shot into a large flock of Grackles at long range and got two both young &'s changing, Am very sure that the red wings have all left. Saw a few red birds and one Chordula popine also 6 % Grundo beser.
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1875. Sept. 18 Clear and cold with high N.W. wind. Took the 11.10 train to Concord and met Jim on the cars we five immediately set out in his team which awaited us at the station. First we took a turn on the "Great meadows" Jim having heard that some birds had come in, but in a hasty beat we flushed only one which shot found and pointed heading, and which fell to my 20' barrel. getting into the wagon again we drove for the North ground and beat the Parker lot etc without seeing anything except a covey of 5 grouse which Jim started wild. Nelson gun also drew blank but on the birch hillside above we put up a small woodcock which I killed, and still further on a very large one which I also fell to my first barrel. This latter bird lay among thick odus in a wet slm; both men shouting loudly, and only the first whistled as he rose. I shot also 2 g.y. Cy. cyanus in fall pt. and saw four or five Ypsammi Carolinensis, and a few each Ampelis cedrorum. I also saw a Trochilus colubis about the 15th but I cannot remember the precise date. Vireo flavifrons has I think left at least I have not seen any for several days.
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192 Nantucket 1875. Nantucket Island Mass. Colymbus marinus Sept. 20 Left Boston on the 8 A.M. train with Messrs. Stone and Bailey and arrived at the city at 2.30 P.M. Engaged board at Reuben P. Folger's D 10.30 p.m. walk and getting out our guns we imme- diately set out for "the Commons". Found Colt. Passerinus in goodly numbers where C. J. M. & myself shot them in 74 and I killed 3 fine specimens, 2 in full plumage and the other 2 males in process of change. We found them in clumps comprising of 15 or 6 among the ranker growths of grass and now obliged to shoot them on wing as the lay very close and could not be seen on the ground. They were perfectly silent and fly very like P. Havanus. I also shot a Myiarchus Carolinensis in full plumage without the red patch on the crown. Sept 21 Clear and lovely day with a fresh S.W. wind. Started off together immediately after breakfast and borrowing a row boat of Mr. Burdett we started for Cotue point with a native S.D., Fisher by name who volunteered his services. On the end of the point I shot a Strix vulpina (y.y.) that was feeding among some big mussels along the drift at high water mark. I noticed nothing peculiar in his motions excepting perhaps that as I approached he flushed off away
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September 1875 Habit of the Tern Sept. 21. The tern with lowered head, this bird bears the euphonious name of Craddock here probably so called from its hoarse rattling note, keeping on in the boat I having B. to follow by land or sail about a mile or so further up the bar when we were rejoined by B. who much to our alarm came flaggering up in a very faint weak condition. After attending to his wants as well as circumstances would permit we followed his track, back I recovered his gun which he had dropped in the sand a mile or more behind. He probably had a partial attack of sun stroke. Here I shot a Stringa canaster in fall plumage, seeing a number of Terns sitting on a Sand bar I took the boat and pulled out to them; As I approached the presented a very pretty sight 40 or 50 of them sitting close together many lying down and a few floating on the water washing themselves. The portion of them landing up was nearly as follows I approached very closely within gunshot and in a few minutes shot down five or six all 8. birds, but most of them v. v. Afterwards pulled up to another large flock and shot 50 or 60 more. Here I heard the
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194 Nantucket. 1875. Sept. 21. Local names of the shore birds. unmistakable note of S. paradisaea but was unable to shoot the bird, the young S. hirundos for the murmuring proportion to the adults of perhaps 1 to 3, the note is much the same but more shrill and querulous. Sometimes I saw one of the young birds following the adult and apparently begging for food. Calidris arenaria Ar. panpalmaius & E. pusillus are all abundant and one or two Y. minutilla were shot. Had a hard pull back against wind and tide, Stoping only once when I went ashore and made a most laborious walk up to a Ch. Virginicus which I fired at at long range I missed; the young bird of this species is known the 'pale bell'; the Sandpiper is called 'pesque' probably from its note before supper should the birds shot yesterday. Sept 22 Clear and very cold, Wind N.W., & flowing half a gale. Heard a horse and wagon & with Fiskett as much at out immediately after breakfast. Down over to Smith's beach (9 miles) seeing on the way a ducks, and a pair of Nemnius Horsinius. The latter son out of the grass not over 20 yds. from the wagon and upon Fiskett imitating this rolling whistle of S or 6 notes, came back and gave me a long about.
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Nantucket 1875 M. hirundinus, Hali pretiosa. Stema paradisa Van. Hudson 195 Sept. 22 which I missed with both barrels. this flight is rather slow & very like that of Barnants Sandpipers at Smiths' Point found terns in multitudes, saw at least 500 in one flock- and shot some 10 or 12 all S. hirundo excepting two an adtt & young of S. paradisa. Saw numbers of the latter species but they were very shy; the young utter a peculiar tilb-tinny note and also the melow's hew of the adtt. Saw from 6 or 8 Aeg melodus and shot 2 both birds of the year. Saw also a single Larus atricilla & numbers of adtt & young K. agelatus. A flock of Mel velutina also passed high over my head. Anthus ludovicianus was also present in moderate numbers. Came back by a circuitous route & passed a most delightful afternoon. Along the edges of the fresh water ponds I shot one each of Y. Boraparti and Micro. hirundinus; the forme was alone, the latter feeding in a flock of G. pusillus; its motions were very like those of the yellow leg Saw some flaepus / Circus lud. numbers, Phyl columbarius & Stu. magna numbers, etc. While driving across one of the "commons" a small bird started in front of the horse, from among the scanty grass & sweet fern & lighted a little ways,
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Achatins Batramius Amphix edromus) 196 Nantucket 1875 Sept. 22 of J. Jumpin out I started & had it and my surprize was great upon pickling up a fine full specimen of Hel. peregrina. On the way back I happened to spy an Achatins Batramius standing perfectly motionless within 15 yds of the wagon: Stepping the horn I found it was too near to shoot so waited a few minutes in hopes that it would fly, but it only shulked off slowly through the grass and once squatted close for an instant; evidently it imagined its person &cwas afraid to draw our attention & having work. Of finally lost it sitting but found it so fat as to be utterly impracticable as a specimen. On the skirts of the town saw a flock of about 30 Amphix edromus feeding on the berries of a wild cherry tree. Reached the home by 5 P.M, C. peregrinus was abundant everywhere on the Commons & put out frequent intervals down under the horse's feet. The gumm informed us that we are too late for the plane shooting & I think it must be so as we did not see a single bird today. Pocetis gran & Pet. Javanna on both abundant, Saw persal Pandion Cardinous.
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Nantucket. 1875. Sept. 23 P. podiceps, Albino robin 197 Clear and rather warm. Spent all the forenoon shirring the birds shot yester- day before Stark helping me on them. At three P.M. started off in the wagon with S. & B. Yuma again acting as guide. Drove in an Eastish direct- towards and to within 2 miles of Siasconset. Saw no birds worthy of mention excepting a grebe (P. podiceps) in Gibbs pond and a very fine snow white albino robin, the former bird I stalked, and shot both barrels at, nevertheless missing him; he was so completely surprised that instead of diving he flapped off along the water's edge for the middle of the pond and when some way out he stopped and sat still uttering a low & quite mellow honk almost like the call of a goose but not nearly so loud or strong. Shot also P. javanica & six C. passerinus, all of which I gave to B. Saw numbers of Colaptes, and two a Year. refus & large numbers of A. melodia. The country is very like that to the S. & W. of the town; past rolling commons. I think are said to be a few wild rabbits on the island I o. sylvaticus probably. E rows as very abundant everywhere. Black ducks remain in numbers through the winter living entirely on the sea.
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Vanzucket is, Mass. Sept. 24 - 1875 Sept. 24 Clear and a lovely day. Fresh wind from the S. W. Bailey left for home this morning. Off after breakfast with Storn taking Bundetts cott sized boat "The Rocket" with Fisher to sail, kept up the harbor landing first at Potomoy where we took a single "pale Billy." Helen kept drove down to the head of the bay before a brisk breeze and landed at the marsh where with C. & A. I spent a day in 1874. How I shot a S. Melrocea, called her "Chuckhead", which Fisher whistled up very easily. Walking across the island to the sea beach we found the sandy shore literally lined with Sandhrips, a long embolkin line of them extending in both directions as far as the eye could reach. They came very readily to my pup whistle and soon fell approached while sitting and in a short time we killed about two dozens. Among down started red cedars back from the beach I saw two on Seth, Ruticilla and on a salt marsh a few Stumula magna. Walking back to the boat we took lunch then twisting sail commenced braving back for town against wind and tide. When opposite Fish's gunning from his quick eye discerned a little company of 5 "chuckleheads" finding on the beach and landing & I stalked to within long range
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Sterna Caspia(?) Habits of the Plover (S. Helvetica) 199 Nantucket, 1875. Sept. 24 of them and I shot down two one of which afterwards escaped. The remaining three we followed for a long time in vain; they were shy as hawks but Fisher finally killed another at long range. Their note is the long drawn whistle of three intonations, so well known to the gunners; their ordinary usual position is that ordinary one is characteristic of all the plovers but they are rather difficult, and much faster than the smaller species. While here a little company of large terns came along and fished for some time within a hundred yards of me: they were either S. Caspia or S. Segetia I am inclined to think the former. They lit several times and swam on deep water. Their flight and plunging was scarcely different to that of the smaller species. The only note that I heard was a banceous bank somewhat like the angry one of Sterna paradisi but much louder, hoarser & sharper. Saw also numbers of Seams aquatics on S. Delawareensis and S. humilis. Of the latter I shot 4 min. quail, two of which were well got. Had a good shot at a black duck in the morning as he sprang out of a pond hole but missed both bears. Reached the town at 8 P.M.
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Hydro, plumbea, Ibis discors, Aix sponsa, Sept.25 Clear and a lovely day. Wind S. and pretty strong. Off after breakfast in the wagon with Stone & Fisher. Saw nothing of interest until we reached Long Pond when as we were driving across the bridge two wood ducks jumped from among the rushes and I knocked one of them from the wagon, getting a chance with one bead only. The survivor was joined by a teal (Ibis discors) and both lighted in a little pond both surrounded by high grass when I stalked them both can and killed both at a shot as they sat on the water. Keeping on we had nearly reached Smith's point when a curlew (N. Hudsonicus) rose from among some moss & brack grew- a sand flat and flying only a few yards lit and squatted within 20 yds. of us when I killed him dead with a light charge of No. 8. At Smith's point we found multitudes of terns and I killed 4 Skrimids, one of them a young bird bark- able to fly. The carrying of fish about in the bill seems to be a regular habit as I saw both young & adult so engaged. Saw a few S. Paradisae but failed in getting any. Also saw distinctly a H. Plumbea flying (in a flock of the common terns). A few A. Melodius were again observed and sanding on my manner.
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"Habits of the golden plover" 201 Nantucket, 1875. (Sept. 25) Eating lunch here we drove to Hammock pond where I fired into a bunch of sandlars and killed 9 with a single barrel. At the report a flock of about 50 Ch. Virginicus rose from the shore beyond where they had been sitting unnoticed on the sand and turning at Fish's whistle came up to within about 60 yds. When I and I let them barrels into them and killed four: three were birds of the year and one a fine adult; all were getting fat. They came up in perfect silence and but for their dark color I should have taken them for Sny necks so small did they look on wing. They were afterwards joined by a still larger flock and all together disappeared over the sand hills. Afterwards we saw a flock of about 20 sitting on a sand spit when I tried to stalk them but found them too shy. They fly very swiftly and in a compact body, giving indeed a considerable semblance to a flock of wild pigeons. We found their tracks larry where on the sandy beaches of the pond. Their notes I heard only one and that faintly; it is different from that of S. Melitica a single low mellow whistle Reached the home by 5 P.M.
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Hales Sparverius, Strepsila intypus 202 1875. Monday Sept. 27 Clear with very high wind from the S.W., Off after breakfast in the wagon driving up to Smith's Point. On the way saw three small hawks playing about together in the air like so many swallows, circling about, diving down and chasing one another as if in sport. One of them came so near that I distinctly identified the peculiar markings of Hales Sparverius: The other two may have been of the same species but they looked more like Koelumbergins. At the point shot three Sterna Sulmundo and a Strepsila intypus, The latter bird was feeding in a large flock of Sandlarks. Started to both mud and a golden plums off the mud flats both of which were too dry to allow us to get within shot. The view off Smith's point was grand in the extreme. As far as the eye could reach the white sandy crests of huge surges were breaking and the position of the numerous sand bars being marked by a more than usual commotion of the waters, the Smiths island were literally thousands of turns piling along the fratus ledge and very soon and then the whole vast throng would rise and after a few while settle again
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Mr. Agass, Virginia Carolina Hudson's Mud, Beautiful Sunset at Hummock Pond Striking across the Commons, a small obscurely colored bird started among the scanty brack grass and at a few rods off! starting after it I trod it up and shot in on wing and upon picking it up found it to be an Upson's agilis, an immature bird in full plumage. A little further on a Rail started almost under the horse's feet and shortly it found the species to be P. Carolina, also a y.y. fall fl. Still further on in a sandy patch with scanty sparse sedge grass I saw within 30 yds. a Hudson's Mud standing perfectly still and pulling up the worm, I shot him, like the one killed set. him was too fat to be available as a specimen. Killed him two cot. granimus, neither in very good plumage, a B. flaptus auratus (flying) a female with decided traces of a black cheek patch and a sturnella magna the latter a very long shot made from the wagon while in motion. Passing Hummock Pond we found nothing there excepting 16 black ducks which started from a little fresh water pond but not over 10 yds apart. Then fishing dug a couple of stumps and we lay in them till dark without getting a shot. Was well paid however by witnessing a most superb sunset enhanced by land
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Goatne point Squatarolla Voluica 204 Nantucket, 1875 Sept. 28 Clear and a fine day. Spent the forenoon Shriming birds. After dinner packed our trunks and after buying a Stock of provisions set sail in Capt. Burdett's boat, the Rocket for Goatne point. Arrived opposite Sid. Fishers house at about dark and after some little trouble in getting our many luggage ashore we unblocked the Shanty and were soon established in the most comfortable gunny housi on the point. Just as we landed the long drawn whistle of a beeth head came up from the shore to the S. and answering his call the bird or birds flew by us several times in the darkness. Several times we caught a low, almost choking, wired, guttured note immediately preceding the whistle; the effect of the whole was very interesting. On our way up the bay we saw several large flocks of golden plone. flying over the water. Sept 29 Clear with very high E. wind. Rose at 6 and dressing quickly cooked our breakfast. While this was going on my bird several photos almost out of the house door, First Sidney H. then beeth heads sitting on the beach nearly in front of the house and talking them he got
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Notes of the Turnstone " " Golden Plover Dead, Coronata Nantucket 1875. (Gept. 29) Tuen all in two shots, Mitt a small flock of white winged Coats crossed the point, within bay range of the liven and I fired at them without effect. After breakfast I took a short tramp along the beach. Saw a flock of minn Stup, interposes flying along just on the edge of the Surf and fired at them without avail. Their flight is extremely swift & their motions on wing very graceful. Their note is a rolling whistle not unlike that of N. Hondronius but rather higher. Saw also them Gambetta mul, and a Yniga maculata but was unable to get a shot at them. In the forenoon made up two of the breth heads & S. shrimed the other. In the afternoon dug a fland on the nearest point and lay there till dark. I killed a few sandling and 8. an immature Leorus agentatus and a golden Plover; The latter I potted Coron from a great height it athrid a high short whistle. Saw Dind, Coronata and Anps. cidorund both away. The thickled Cidars on the sand [illegible] Knols. Ybar not run a high turn in the harbor after yesterday or to day. Domestc cats are wild are very abundant on the point,
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206 Nantucket. 1875 Sept.30 D. palmareum, D. coronata Anaptilis ced. and Yoles columbarius Rose: This morning feeling quite Dick and livlish And lay in my brink nearly all the forenoon Sidney went out several times with Stone's gun and killed three butle heads. I shot a D. palmareum from the door of the house and I also heard the Chirp of D. Coronata. In P.M. feeling much worn sent Sid up to town whence he returned about sunset with in Capt. Burdett's sail boat and getting our things on board we went back in our old quarters at Mrs. Folgers. by 7 P.M. Oct.1 Woke this m[orning] Spent the day running up our birds etc. TAXIDERMY. Messrs. Stone & Brewster, two gentlemen from Boston, are guests at the house of Reuben P. Folger Esq. They are collecting and mounting specimens of our island birds. They have, we understand, obtained a very fine collection. The Island Review. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30. 1875. Oct.2 Started for home this morning. Came across the Sound in the Stamer Island Home leaving Nantucket at 6 and arriving at Wood's hole at 11.30. The wind was blowing a perfect gale but and the waves running very high but in spite of this I saw numbers of terns all the way across, also several large flocks of coots, one of which flying our end at Wood's hole I distinctly saw was composed entirely of adult & Pel. perspicillata. Here I also saw a flock of about 40 An. cidrum and while watching them an in Yole columbarius glided softly up and snuck on of them of a branch before the flock took the alarm
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206 Nantucket 1875 Sept. 30 D. palmarum, D. coronata Anpeli ced. and Yales columbains Rose: This morning feels quite Sick and feverish And lay in my furnk nearly all the forenoon. Sidney went out Several times with Stone's gun and killed three butter heads. I shot a D. palmarum from the door of the barn and I also heard the Chirp of D. Coronata. In P. M. feelin much worse Sent Sid up to town whence he returned about sunset with in Capt. Burdett's sail boat and getting our things on board my own back in our old quarters at Mrs. Folger by 7 P. M. Taxidermy, Messrs. Stone & Brewster, two gentlemen from Boston, are guests at the house of Reuben P. Folger Esq. They are collecting and mounting specimens of our Oct. 1 Woke this morning much better and spent the day packing up our birds etc. Oct. 2 Started for home this morning. Came across the Sound in the Steamer Island Home leaving Nantucket at 8 and arriving at Woods hole at 11.30. The wind was blowing a perfect gale but and the waves running very high but in spite of this I saw numbers of terns all the way across, also several large flocks of coots one of which flying over and at Woods hole I distinctly saw was composed entirely of adult's Pel. Perspicillata Here I also saw a flock of about 40 Am. aidrons and while watching them an in Yale columbains glided swiftly up and snuck one of them off a branch before the flock took the alarm
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Oct. 7 Rained in torrents all last night & to day clearing up in P.M. Left the barn at 3.30 and struck up into the swamps. Started a snipe and 4 rail bagging them all in 5 shots. All the rails were P. Carolina and "Shot" pointed all but one in good flights. Saw 4 other snipe flying over high. Last week I shot Nesbitt bagged 7 snipe around pond holes in the fields. The first flight cock were killed out Concord on the 24th where J. C. Nibbin started ten birds. Snipe 1 - Rails 4. Met Robat & John Nesbitt this P.M. The former showed me a Gallus leige which he had shot; they usually come later & came earlier & I am inclined to consider this a bird that flew too far on the ground & has remained behind. Rail were seen in large numbers last week but all so far as I can learn were P.Carolina. W. A. Pardee took a walk Sunday the 3rd and noted D. coronata about, Agulus calandula Vermibus (one shot by O. Warren Sept. 29th) & Agulus Aliceae rural. I saw a flock of Red ferrugin in our yard on the 4th and saw another large flock in the swamps this evening. The mud birds are literally alive with shrews of every description. A fine Y. Y. Buteo Penn, was brought to me Sunday. It was shot on the Brooks Rd. in Belmont on the 2nd & 3rd. stomach & crop were stuffed with Cato's Am. nothing else.
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208 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Oct. 9 C. Stellaris, B. Cessinii, Arthus ludovic, Trip to Concord meadows Oct 9-1875 Clear still and a most lovely autumn day. Rose early and meeting John Nesbitt by appointment took the 7.10 train on the Bowell road for N. Bedford when we got off and struck out once for the Great meadows. Found the water altogether too high and almost despair'd of seeing any birds but finally after wading across the meadow started from home along the N edge and I bagged one of them. I find only two shots, both long ones but killed two rails (P. Bar) both of which shot pointed. From here struck on to Dam meadow when we started then birds and killed them all. Two of them lost were wild from the edge of a pond of rain water in a ploughed field, and with them got up a pair of Yrisa maculata which got off unshot at. Both the snipe dropped in tall grew and gave us good shots and one of them shot pointed very handsomely. When meadows were in prime condition and we should have found more birds. On the Great meadows saw large numbers of Arthus ludovic, and an osprey also a marsh wren which I took to B.C. Stains. Taking the 1 P.M. train home we got off at Spy pond and walked down across the meadows. Did not start any birds but I shot a few fall Spermium of C. Stellaris and 2 Brachyptus Cessinii. The latter was flushed by N. and came flying down on me. Scut. fungusius abundant everywhere. N.B. Snipe 2, rail 2, J.V. Sifted
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1875. Oct. 11 Cloudy with E. wind. Rose at 5 A.M. and meeting Stone at the house, by appointment went up to the swamps In the little pond hole in front of the engine house Shot found & I pointed two rails (P. Carolina) both of which I shot. Then beat all the upper meadows but without seeing anything with a charge of ammunition 13 Clear and the most perfect day of the season. Thu., at Sunrise 28°; got warm at noon. With Stone took the 8.10 train on the Lowell road and getting off at N. Bedford spent the day in the woods between them and Concord. Our specific object was woodcock but although we beat all the best of the Eastern ground we saw not a feather of game getting an old cock grouse which we flushed late in the P.U. Van Dam meadow found a small flock of larks (S. magna) and chasing them about for some time we succeeded in killing one a fair fall female. Getting into "Halls" about the middle of the afternoon we spent a pleasant hour sitting on the edge of the spring that most delightful little spot, charming at whatever season you may visit it. While here we heard a flock of jay at a distance and Stone essayed
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210 MASS (Wadley) Oct 13th 1875. (Oct. 13) to call them by frequent repetition of a low complaining moan. For a few moments all was still then one after another they appeared flitting up through the trees, silent and intent, curious evidently; at last they came directly over my head and I killed two of them. Suddenly timing our progress as we were at Sam Woods front pond just before sunset and as I had anticipated that little sheet of water was losing its very loveliest, the sun glancing in through the pines on the West side throwing portions of its surface into mirror like bank reflecting shadow and lighting up most gorgeously the golden yellow bricks on the Eastern shore. Distinct were rising all over them and some huge fellars sent the rings fairly from shore to shore. Animal life seemed to be here congregated shipwrecks "shucked" on all sides and in the breathing stillness the rustle of every leaf stirred by this merry scampering came distinctly to the ear. While sitting near the waters edge enjoying the surpassing beauty of the place and hour we heard suddenly the light silvery whistle of wings overhead and the next moment a flock of about ten wood ducks came bursting down into the pond; seeing us shown they ran again over the tree tops
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875, (Oct. 13) and began circling about when fearing that they would not light. we shot into them at long range and wounded one which settled in the farthest tree and was immediately joined by four others. Explained as return to this fell sage we could do nothing but sit still and watch them until at length they rose and went off. Three of the five were splendid drakes and as they sat on the edge of the water spreading their feathers in the last rays of the setting sun this beautiful plumage showed off to the best advantage. We have this fall as a disappointment. Killed by the early frosts, they have failed to attain anything near their usual brightness and many of the trees are now nearly bare. Zon, albinolis has been abundant for a week past. Warblers and small birds generally— with the exception of Sparrow — have been very scarce. Very few good bags of Woodcock have been made and of Snipe we have had only a few stragglers. Saw a few Anthus Sordidus, and heard a Gambella mel on
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Di palmacrum, Yurduus Pallasi! Oct. 14 Cold and another lovely day. Took the 2.15 train to Concord will leave my hand bag at the hotel. Started for Moo's Pond when I intended to lie for ducks. Arrived at the Pond I found the alder swamp below the dam fairly alive with birds and spent some time watching them. A characteristic little automated company was there, composed principally of white throated Sparrows and yellow bunps with a fair sprinkling of D. Palmacrum and a few Hermit Thrushes. A low muntin rupted rustling in the brush below me next caught my attention and listening intently I heard the repressed note of a quail. Quickly changing my shells I just
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"Sparrow Mottos" Night Call of the hummit thrush, Slurus londore Back of the gray squirrel 213 Oct. 14) up all around me and I just managed to get in a single shell and pull on one of the last as he disappeared among the alder, feathers came floating back on the still air and I felt convinced that my aim had been good but this bird if killed 'shot' was unable to find, I afterward flushed another bird that had remained behind but being in an awkward position I find without "getting in to him". I missed chase. I now turned my attention to the ducks and getting a good position lay at the pond till dark but nothing came in). The sunset was hours if possible more lovely come than that of last evening. In addition to the chipmunks, a gray squirrel (S. Carolin.) called incessantly from the tall pine, and a winter wren (Y. hyemalis) burst out several times into full song: this is the first time I ever heard the bird sing in Mass. Just after sundown a hummit thrush uttered in a low tone the night call of the species as he sat on an alder near me; instantly it was answered by others all around the pond until the little amphitheater fairly echoed with thin cries. Saw distinctly a Slurus Londorei. I noted other on the 11th/13th: Quail 2 = Very late for Mass. Spent the night, with I saw 2 came from the next morning,
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Marston's Mills - 1875 Quail Shooting Oct. 19 Clear and warm in A.M. Cloudy in P.M. with many mist and E. wind. Left Boston on the 4 P.M. train yesterday afternoon with Messrs. Melvin & H. Buttrick, taking in addition to "Shot" my old pointer "Dart". Found Capt. Baytu and family well. This morning we started out at about 8.30 and beat all the forenoon without seeing a quail up to 11 o'clock when Shot found a bevy of about 12 birds in a briary thicket along an old fever. "Cap" Baytu's dog backed him and both stood until ordered on. As they rise I killed right & left securing both birds. We after ward got three more in the pines when they scattered, but no points as they held their cent, leaving them we kept on along the shore towards Otterville which place we had nearly reached when one of the dogs made another find in the loper and both the others backing him all three drew down into a little hollow when they stood in line the two pointers on the outside & my setter in the middle. It was I think the first fight of the kind that we saw but like all such it was soon brought to a close end by the tumultuous crashing burst of a fine large bevy which the next instant rose from the shelve of a bed of woods ahead of the dogs. Eight barrels were discharged into their midst almost simultaneously, and then fell to the ground - just one bird. The whole bevy went off in
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Marstons Mills - 1875 215 Rail Shooting 1875. [Oct. 19] the direction of the town and following on what was our surprise to find them scattered about in the gardens, front yards and some on the very street itself. We did what shooting we could without running the risk of bagging anything undesirably large, and left them minus four of their original number. An occurrence thus is worthy of record. At the first A woman was ironing clothes in her kitchen one small window being open into the room. She appearing to look out she saw three birds swiftly passing the house when suddenly one of them turned at [illegible] right angle in its course and darting through the open window struck against a clothes horse which stood in front of the fire cord with drying clothes, and fell to the floor. The woman was for a moment completely surprised by the suddenness of the bird's appearance, but the next near ing herself she stooped to pick it up when it shot out through the window again and disappeared as quickly as it had come. This was one of the birds started at the first rise; its life was probably saved only by the elastic character of the surface against which it struck, for so great was its impetus that the horse, clothes and all was overthrown on to the hearth. We afterwards
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Marston's Mills - 1875 Quail Shooting flushed three more birds and had good sport until dark. One of these birds was found in the field with its wing gone, another at Parker's near the pond and the last which we started just at sunset, in the fields near Goodspeed's garden patch. The afternoon being lowery we found the birds out feeding as early as 3 P.M. We got very few points on the birds after the birds had scattered excepting on the bury at Parkers where the birds lit among scumb oaks and lying well all gave a strong scent so that a point was had for every bird. All the quail killed were fine large birds with the exception of one little fellow about half grown which I killed from a bury of full sized birds. Started about a dozen grouse and I killed three in four shots. Met Capt. Hodges whom Capt. Baxtin knew and who accompanied us through the afternoon. He had just come in from coast shooting with two birds, a coot and a Columbus spaternials. He reported fowl of all kinds abundant in the pond, but an apparently not as numerous as usual on the cape and few have been killed in this town. The bag of birds was as follows: W.B. quail 11 - Grouse 3. Bartick, quail 7 - grouse 1; F.B.M. quail 6 Total 24 quail - 4 grouse
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Marston's Mills - 1875 Duck Shooting 1875. Oct. 20 Cloudy in the morning & clear, warm and lovely in the afternoon. Off together at 9 A.M. Striking C. on the same ground as yesterday. In Goodspeeds field Jim started and killed a turtle dove. Near the boat house swamp Shot met come to a fine point on a pair of grouse which I found a double shot as they ran just inside the swamp, missing both birds, # Parkiss shot loaded and found the remnant of the bray shot into yesterday & as they ran I fired a double shot at them missing again a rather hard shot. Following them into the oaks they gave out went freely as was the case yesterday and I killed one and Buttrick another. Shot also picked up a third which was so stiff that we concluded it had been killed yesterday. Eat lunch in Mr. Hodges shop and after a smoke set out again and beat till 3 P.M. when "Cap" ran into a very large berry near the Irishman Evan's field. Getting them into a bad place we had little success killing only 4 birds of which I scored 2. Found nothing more till sundown when we struck into Goodspeeds fields and again started the bray which we shot into last night. Shot first struck
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Marstons Mills - 1875 Drail Shooting the scent and roaded [illegible] beautifully till he came to the birds which were finding out in the middle of the field. Prim at the same moment came up from the opposite side and [illegible] taking the scent of the boy from this wind, drew up magnificently till near the motionless pettel when both stood as immovable as if carved in stone. The [illegible] quick pure motions of both dogs in finding the birds, and their exceptionally fine attitudes as they stood, joined to the surpassing beauty of the scene as it lay bathed infull, rich quit of a glorious Oct. sunset, made the whole occurrence one to be remembred and I doubt not that my companin as well as myself would have been glad could it have been prolonged a few minutes longer, but a slight advance on the part of the point bird, the spell and the whirring bray the next instant filled the air. Two birds fell to an four barrels. Following them into the corn we found only one bird which went off unshot at. I killed two crow at this place and started for the home fairly exhausted by any days work although the tramp had not been a very severe one. Went to bed feeling quite unwell. Find, find at head of the birds counted in my own, Mr. B. Drail 6 - groun 2 - Bettrick quail 4 - groun 2, Q. C.M. dove 1 Total quail 10 - groun 4 - dove 1 = 15 birds
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Marston's Mill - 1875 219 Quail Shooting Oct. 21 Cloudy in A. M. clearing up by noon. I saw this morning feeling very sick and used up. And the others went off without me. They struck up to the W. around the town horn and started during the day two large fowls of quail and a few grouse, Woodcock borings were seen in several corn fields near the town horn. The bag was J.C.M. quail 4. Buttrick quail 4 - Baxter quail 1 Total 9 birds. I remained in the house all day and before going to bed at night took a good sweet. Oct. 22 Clear and very warm with S. wind. Still feeling sick I again spent the day in the horn. The others set out as usual and after flushing a boy in the swamp below the horn and killing three birds they transfix all day without seeing anything until just at night they flushed a very large body between the shop and the river and bagged them more birds. Melvin quail 3 - Buttrick quail 3, Total 6 birds. Oct. 23 Clear and warm. Started for home this morning I feeling rather better, and reached Boston at 70.25 A.M. Resume Total Bag of W.B. quail 17 - grouse 5 = 22 birds " " " Buttrick " -18- " 3 = 21 " " " " Melvin " =13- " " " Baxter & = 13-
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Abundance of small birds 220 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Nov. 9 Clear still, and though cold a most lonely day. Have been confined to the house by sickness ever since my return from the Cape but this morning unable to endure imprisonment any time I took my gun and walking up to the farm spent the whole forenoon collecting Small birds were more abundant than I ever saw them before at this season. This I think may be explained by the fact that the weather up to within the last three days has been very mild and the later birds have remained up North. Yesterday and the day before were both cold windy unpleasant days, the thur, barely reaching 38-0 by noon and snows in greater or less quantity announced from all parts of Northern N.E. This sudden advance of winter has driven the birds S. in masses. Especially abundant this morning were Pas. iHica Hirundo Pallasi, Eg. Patrapa, Janco hyemalis, Parus atricapillus, and Corymus cristata. Saw also two Spizella monticola, sveral Sitta Carolinensis do. Chry, Tristis om Cestrna Am. om Plagus colindrus (2) and at least 30 Red, coronata. Had remarkable luck in my shooting bagging 18 birds in 28 shots. The leaves are now nearly all down in the deciduous woods but I was surprised to find a
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Bat insect life, Bird remains in crop of Buto lineatus 221 many green things untouched by the frost, under the shelter of the evergreen grows. On the cedar ridge especially in the warm nooks were little clumps of bushes and vines as green and fresh as in Sept. and some of them little spots were very closely shaded the effect reminding one of the sensation experienced upon outwring a greenhorn in mid- winter, the grass in the fields is however still green everywhere. As the sun reached the zenith and the mercury rose to about 70° I was surprised to observe the abundance of insect life crawling about in sheltered places. Diptera were most numerously represented but I also heard the faint notes of a few grasshoppers, and saw two or three of the common yellow field butterflies flying about—but most curious sight of all over the surface of a pool which was entirely encased in ice was hovering a pair of red winged Melanoptera joined together in sexual communion. A very fine adult Buto lineatus was shot on the hill behind French's yesterday by A. Hagan, I dissected the bird and found in its crop and stomach remains of a δ Ostys Virgin, a very small skink (Soup) and a singular looking mole which being headless I could not make out. This is the first time I ever found bird remains in Buto.
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Lucid shooting - 1875 Nov. 5 Clear still and a fine Nov. day. Started immediately after breakfast with Stone and got Charles to drive us up into Prospect St. Belmont, when he left us at about 9 o'clock. Had barely left the road when we heard a quail whistle in the distance). Although equipped mainly for collecting I had taken the precaution to slip about a half a dozen No. 8's in my pocket and having shot with as we immediately followed up the sound and soon came upon the boy in a little hollow among the bricks. About 12 birds got up and I fired both barrels without success (I had taken out with me Melius autward little 24 inch br. lds) None of the birds went one 100 yds. before dropping along the edge of a little meadow and following them I fired 4 shots killing 3 quail. Stone got some five or six shots & killed one bird cutting his head clean off at 10 paces. Here we heard a grown drum eight or ten times in succession and going to the spot I got a hard shot and missed both barrels. Coming back I had another good chance at a grown and missed this also with both barrels being wound to the gun. Leave this boy we had proceeded not one 1/4 of a mile when a small boy of eight birds rose the further side of a wall and firing my remaining shell (loaded 4 drs X 10z no 6 shot) I killed a fine female bird at 40 paces. Following
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Arg., Chry. pinus 223 Portana Norboreensis Pica villons MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875 (Nov. 5) than I put in two squab charges and snapped at wood birds within short range but of course without success, finally watching two quail down into a maple swamp for food and had starting one win looking for the other when I stepped right into the middle of a fresh berry growl of about a dozen bird, which gave me a fair chance as they ran but against which my "squib" won of course useless. We hunted for thin birds but a short distance when Charles appeared with the carryall and we returned to the house in time for dinner. With old Dart and plenty of shells I could easily have bagged 15 quail; such chances always come when least expected. I took only 4 small birds: 2 Parus atr 1 Guaca and a g Sitta Carolinensis. Saw a few Chry. pinus and numbers of C. tristis. Stone shot a very fine S. Pallasii. Two Arg. villors were shot by Arthur Smith in Brooklin Oct. 31st. Morton started 6 woodcock at Concord on the 1st inst. and the same number the next day, two fine Portana Norboreensis have killed at Wakefield by Gordon during the past month, Pica villors in our yard gw. B. quail 4 This morning W. Ston 1 1
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Spnwich Nov. 8 - 1875 Brachytus paludris—Passerulus principis Nov. 8 Clear with wind N.E. and rather cold in the morning, but calm and fine in P.M. With Ston took the 8.30 A.M. train for Spnwich when we arrived at 10 A.M. "Hired a "dory" of our Wm Stone and started down river with a favorable tide, but a strong head wind. Reached the sand hills after some pretty hard paddling (on S's part) and landing went in search of Pas. principis. Had gone but a little ways when I started a Brachytus Cassini out of a little hollow; it rose with clumsy flapping and went off with dangling legs until I stopped it with a charge of dust at about 30 paces. Picking it up wounded it struck at me fiercely with its talons and erected the feathers of the head in such a way that that number looked nearly as large as one's two fists. Continuing on we reached all the hollows in vain for the "Spnwich Sparrow" but upon beating along the ridge of beach-grass above high water mark I finally started one which ran out of range and going a little way lit again; Walking quickly to the spot it ran again at about 40 yards and I saw it both barrels without apparent effect! this time it flew a long ways and though I distinctly saw it light and went directly to the spot I was unable to again flush it. After while eating lunch in a little sandy hollow back among the sand hills one of their birds flew by us twice
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Remarkable Tammys of the Phe. 227 1875. (Nov. 8) but in both cons out of gunshot, their lip is precisely like that of P. Javanica but they seem a much wild species! Warren and Towne killed seven specimens at Brant rock Mass. during the latter part of Oct. After shooting a o Junes we started up river and landed next morning near the gunning house. Found Phe. niwals very abundant along the foot of the hills and just above high water mark. We shot a few and observed a most curious case of bird confidence. A flock had risen out of range but another that one remained behind I approached with the intention of shooting it; when however I had arrived within range I thought that I would flush and kill it on wing and with this design I walked up to within six feet of it but now all thoughts of taking its life vanished for to my intense amazement it. Still continued busily feeding without even desiring to look up at me. Putting down my gun I actually succeeded in touching its back with the tips of my fingers when as if displeased at such a familiarity on my part it hopped off a few feet and looked up at one with a curious expression of vague wonder in its clear little eyes. Calling up S. we sat down on the ground and with the bird between us and within reach
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226 1875 (Nov. 8) Emmelphila cornetis - Anthus lundorfi Bleasid. Bonapartii - Haulda glacialis of our arms we watched it a long Time as it stripped off the seeds from the grasses and picked up little particles of sand or gravel. Finally I again assayed to capture it by dropping my hat over it, but that missing my aim it rose, now fairly alarmed and making off with rapid flight joined a flock of its companions which were feeding across the river. It evidently was in perfect health and spirits but had probably never made the acquaintance of the dangerous species Homo before. Here we also saw a single large flock of Emmelphila alpestris and two Anthus lundorfi, Both of the latter we shot, S. killing one of them from the roof of one of the deserted houses. S. also killed an immature Pirieola enucleator which was hopping about on the ground near the water's edge. I fired two long shots at gulls (L. agatchus) and hit one of them very hard, but he got off. The owl served as dissection a 2 and had the stomach fairly crammed with mice (Avis, sp.) Just before sunset for ascended a high hill behind the cottages and was crowned by a most superb view. Coming up our old fondness the scenery was also most lovely, backed home by S & P.M. Received today from Fisher at Nantucket 4 louns Bonapartii & a fine & Haulda all for A 2 of the latter was shot on Fishr I and this morning by Abbott Gregar I given me by that gentleman
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MASS. (Middlesex "") 1875. Nov. 12 Clear Still and a lovely day. Jim M. came out at 2 P.M. and we started immediately in my buggy for Belmont. Put up the horses at Brown's and commenced our beat in the sun behind Cotton's. The first bird started was a grouse which Jim killed very prettily. Next old Dart found and pointed but Jim's dog coming up, he broke his point and ran in on a large bay of quail, at least 20 strong. They flew a very long distance and began to whistle almost as soon as they lit. Following them up we found two single birds and shot one of them both firing at the same bird. At the report of our guns the rest of the broy, which I had by this time seen to gather soon ahead of us at least 100 yds. and went off unshot at. Afterwards started another scattered bird and I shot him). Flushed seven grouse altogether & three of them from alongside a long piece of brakes. One then came around was posted a notice threatening murderous violence to any person who should molest them in any way. Left the quail and went in search of another broy but did not succeed in starting anything more excepting a rabbit which I shot. Reached home by 6 P.M. W. B. quail 2 (1/2). Rabbit 1 J. C. M. grouse 1 - quail (1/2)
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Grosbeak hysenalis - Res. linens Iotres Pattinors Nov. 13 Clear Hill and mild with S. wind, off after dinne with Danielson driving up to Churys where we put up the horse. Beat first the line of swans behind his farm and started two grouse both of which shot pointed handsome. Both fired of no find at the second bird as it ran and at the last shot it mounted into the air to a surprising height and flew still fairly out of sight. Kept beat up the long valley behind Browns without starting anything. Saw several Y. Pallasin and Pas. Chaka huns, Came back by way of Prospect St. and beat some distance down the Belmont run until finally giving up we were about starting for the team when I heard the sharp tick of a winter wren (Y. hyemalis) and immediately shot at out in pursuit. Finally getting a shot at him as he hopped up for an instant on top of a stone wall I fired killing him and starting up a boy of about 10 guail which ran from the further side of the wall almost directly under where he had been sitting. It was now almost dark and we followed them but a short distance and found only a single bird which shot pointed in an open field, and pointed to shadily that it was with difficulty that I minded him to go on. As the bird ran I fired both barrels but missed in the mountain light. Picked up a pretty little Resperemes linens in gray pelage & dead.
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Brail shooting, last trip 229 of the season 1875. Nov. 17 Glce with a very high wind - almost a hurricane in fact. Gino. M. came out at noon and we started off together in the buggy immediately after dinner. Had a very cold disagreeable drive up the wind coming in such violent gusts that the horse could with difficulty make progress against it. Put up at Cheney's, and commencing our beat to the S. W. In the second Swamp Gino's old dog
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October Vitis 230 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Nov. 18 Clear still and a fine day. I'm left his old dog Prime with me for trial and this morning I drove up to the hill with Ston and put up the horse in an old barn on Pleasant St. On the way we saw a fine [illegible] in the Archibutes in the Lagopus plumage, joined over the fields below Belmont. Beat up the Belmont road and across Prospect St. to Cotton's run, the old dog flushing several grouse out of range on the way. Finally he found a bevy of 5 quail in the Cotton run and as they rose I shot one. Got back to the house by 11:44. W.B. Quail! Nov. 19 Clear and another fine day, Yhr. 18° at noon. Took old Prime again this morning, and with S. drove up to Browns when we put up the horse. Beat the Cotton run and the swamps behind Chenery's also the whole Elmets brook valley without starting a quail. We however started a pair of grouse from a patch of briars & willow bushes in the middle of a perfectly open field, the whole available cover not extending left in extent; Ston went by this with Thicket literally within a few feet and after he had got nearly out of gun shot the two birds Son Schind his was much surprised to see a large striped snake (C. vitis) in perfect but a vigor and as lively as in June.
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Coluris borealis 231 1875. Nov. 20 Rained hard last night and clear off the morning. Started off with Eustis at 8.30 and drove up to Cotton's where we put up the horn. Beat carefully all the sums behind his place but started nothing except two grouse, a bury of 4 or 5 quail and then rabbits. I made a double shot on the quail (starting them myself unexpectedly among some high brush) missed a shot each at a rabbit & grouse, and killed a rabbit. Eustis did not fire a shot. Afterwards beat one to and behind Chenery's without seeing anything. W.B. Quail 2, rabbit 1 Saw a finn Coluris borealis Sunday Nov. 21 Went into Boston this P.M. and called on Mr. Chas B Cory. He showed me a collection of some 100 skins made by him on the Nile in Egypt. He had also a fair collection of N.A. skins including a number of rare species. Among other things I noticed a young & Buephala Islandica showing in faint tracery, the white lumate spot on the head. Pine grosbeaks and redpolls are reported in small numbers Cardus migratorius I see every day in small numbers. Have noticed no large migrating flocks of them this fall.
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232 1875. Habits of the black variety of Sparrick Mass Nov. 22 - 1875. Nov. 22 Clear and cold with strong N. wind. With S. took the 8.30 Train for Sparrick and hiring a boat set off down river. Had proceeded about half a mile and was rowing close in shore when happening to glance up I saw white sailing past within about 40 yds, a fine Archibute lagopus, & picking up my gun I sent a charge of No 3 through her and dropped her dead into the river. She had been sitting on some tall oaks on the bank and had allowed us to row fairly past her bfore taking wing. Going or down river S. shot a fine adult Oamas agentatus which tried to pass by us. Coming to 'the Neck' or must espied three fin black hawks Archibute 'Sancti Johannis' suspended in the air beating the wind and scanning the ground below for minutes. Then these birds remained the entire day in this spot which must have possessed uncommon attractions for them, If we landed they immediately left, flying across to some of the other hills but within ten minutes of our departure they would return. They were so shy that for a number of trials we succeed in getting only one shot and that a very long one. In habits and motion I could not precise that they differed at all from the more common bird 'lagopus'. They spent nearly all their time suspended one on foot, and I noticed that each individual of the them had its own place to
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Archibates lagopus 238 1875. (Nov. 22) which it invariably returned, the appearance of three birds hanging suspended in the air at the height of about 50 ft., all within a radius of 100 yds., and for many minutes without a single movement was very very interesting. Sometimes when the wind came in gusts they seemed to have some difficulty in preserving their equilibrium and flapped their wings rapidly at frequent intervals, but in every event their exact place was maintained to an inch. This descent on this prey was made (as described on p. 132 journal of 1873) in cycloid curves. At times all three would rise to an immense height in the air and sail in company. This sailing was performed with extraordinary ease and grace and the appearance of the bird and the position of the wings was very much like that of Cathartes aura. Heard no cry or note of any bird. They frequently lit on the ground usually on the top of some elevated knoll. Walked out to the sand hills behind Woodbury's when I shot a Finch & Flc, miculi; saw only one or two others of that species and perhaps as many E. corvata. When the small birds came I cannot imagine, as we looked everywhere for them. Saw a few Merques serrator & great numbers of gulls including Larus L. marinus, reached from by 81/2 M.
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234 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Nov. 24 Clear and still. In the house all day working on my birds. After finishing up a half hour or so before sunset, I took my gun and walked up to the pine swamp to try for an Owl. Had about given it up and was striking for the road when I suddenly spied a little red Seeps within ten yards of me. He was sitting on a maple sapling over a ditch and underbush, or the look out for snier, I had got so near him before seeing him that I was obliged to back off before shooting. Upon dissection I found his stomach entirely empty with the exception of a few feathers. His body was fairly cased in a very watery kind of fat which emitted a strong and rather disagreeable odor. Thanksgiving Nov. 25 Clear still and one of the most lovely days of this year. Thur. 24th at sunrise, Spent other forenoon rifle shooting in the pond bank behind Mr. Blacks when 15 of us contested for the ownerships of two prizes. The first of them was won by B. Dean by a score of 19 out of possible 25. Second by J. M. Russell, age 16. My score was 15. After dinner Charlie and I drove up to Bottoms where we put up the horns and commenced our bat. For a long time saw nothing until finally Shot found a grom in a maple swamp and held his
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Pas. iliaca Pinicola sibilatrix 235 Collurio borealis MASS (Middlesex Co.) 1875. (Nov. 25) point finely until Charlie came up and shot the bird as it ran. From him I struck over to Cheney's swamps when Shot struck the vent of the gary exactly on the spot where Jim & I found them on th 17th inst, and roaded it down to the point of the alders when he found and pointed the Birds. Although we had a good chance at them our four barrels failed to stop anything. Following them up however shot made them flinch points on Rattled birds and Charlie killed two of them. I find at a single bird (and took out lots of feathers but failed to kill him. Saw a few robins and one Passerella iliaca the last probably. b. later quail 2, grouse 1 Nov. 24 Clear but very cold and windy, threfall to 15 at 10 P.M. Started off after breakfast with Eustis and drove up to Cynsworthington when we left the barn and hunted in the country about till late in the P.M. when we became disgusted having seen nothing except one grouse- and started for home. On the way back saw a very brown Collurio borealis Dec. 1 Clear & cold, thus, 0° at sunrise. Jim came out in P.M. and we went up on the hill after quail but started nothing all the P.M. Saw two Pinicola sibilatrix (both ins.)
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Last occurrence of Nyctardea var. Gardenii 236 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. Dec. 2 Clear still and pleasant day, Thur. 2° at Sunrise. Left the house about 3 P.M. and hastened up through the swamps taking Shot. Everything was frozen solid and the walking very good everywhere. Just across the R. R. track as I was entering the maple swamp a grouse rose within 20 yards of me; it was still as death but although I watched stopped the instant I saw the bird leave the ground I could hear not the slightest whirring of wings or sound of any kind and this in spite of the fact that the bird got up with more than usual celerity and went off with the usual swift direct flight. Pursuing or after it I came to Alver's brook which I found partly open left so by the warm sewage matter now discharged into it. While walking along its bank I saw sitting barely the sunny side of a large bush a bird which I took for a barred owl but which upon shooting, turned out to be a Nyctardea Gardenii. The mystery of its presence here so late was satisfactorily explained upon my picking it up when I found that one of the wings had been broken, and had healed in such a way that the wing tremble it could not be used in flight. The bird was in very good condition and had evidently established itself for the winter by the open ditch where it could obtain food. That a very low temperature can be endured by many of our summer birds is now well known and in this case the bird had probably
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Trozodylus hyemalis Hesperomes linespus 237 1875. (Dec. 2) passed through weather so severe as any it would be called upon to endure (the mercury reached 6° belw 0 on the morning of Nov. 30th) Keeping on up to the pine swamp I started up a winter eren among the bushes but although I was on the point of firing several times, I finally lost it. While standing near the edge of little patch of clear ice among tussocks & alders, Shot who was potting about near me started out a most beautiful little Hesperus linespus from under a bunch of grass, and I was much pleased at the way the little fellow scrambled across the glassy surface and precipitately sought shelter in a hole on the other side; he was in the towney winter pelage & quite unlike the one I picked up some weeks ago. Keeping on a little wary Shot drew on a Turkey scent & finally pointed when a grouse got up ahead. I find both barrels at it and following it into the middle of the swamp shot both barrels again missing as before when it flew out among the tall pines & suddenly sweeping upward lit on a dead limb some 30 ft up. Approaching cautiously I shot it ignominiously while it sat. Its position was rather shameful the body being nearly horizontal & the neck not only much stretched out. Beating the rest of the swamp shot a fine cock grouse which the dog drew out to me. W.P. bag. grous 2
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Grouse Shooting in Carlyle, Mass. Dec. 3 Clear, perfectly still and cold; the 10°- 36° 24°. A most inspiratively lovely winter day one of the mother's— in fact that I ever remember spending in the woods. Rose early and with R. B. Niblett took the 7.10 B.R.R. train for Boxford & arriving found him waiting at the station! Set off at once walking quietly up and crossing the
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Haapsosynchus rufus 239 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. (Dec. 3) place where I saw, and going to this farm tree it was picked up dead by one of the dogs nearly 100 yds beyond. Upon examination we found both eyes were shot through, a leg broken, and blood flowing from several wounds in the body. Another bird had both legs fairly shot through and the end of one was merely covered with feathers and yet managed to fly about the usual distance and started again from a pin with nearly as much vigor as at first. As a rule we started our birds in the first instance in the older runs and still more invariably they flew directly for the thickest pines and took to tree. If we passed under or near under the tree on which the bird shot it would take flight, getting under way too with marvellous rapidity. The crops of two examined contained principally clove leaves with a few cranberries & decors. Saw horn tip or right in, Pinicola enucleator and shot to my great surprise a Haapsosynchus rufus which started out from under a pine shrub. It was far too fat and good plumage & perfectly fat condition. The country through which we hunted is a most wild & picturesque nearly all pine clad & without a box or cultivated field in miles of distance Bass W.B. grouse 4, M. grouse(?) (1) I fired 15 shots at Gein 14
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Habits of Scops Asio - Scl. ferrugineus (Vol. 27) Dec. 6 Clear and a lovely mild day. Sun, 36° at noon. Spent the forenoon in the house after work on birds, but at 4 P.M. Struck up into the swamps with Stow. In the brickyard swamps saw at least three Mel. melodia and shot two of them at a shot. In the pine swamp we beat for grouse and by standing on the ice in the little pond and repeating shots around the edge I got a fine shot at a G. grouse which he started and killed him with the first barrel, leaving him we struck across the frozen meadows to Block's mow where I found a Scops sitting in the top of a leafless alder bush over a ditch which still remained open in places; it was already dim twilight and I had but just made up my mind that the upright darkly outlined object was really an owl when he started at least 60 yds from me and with a juvenile flapping, woodcock like flight himself across the open meadow with ghost like ease & swiftness and disappear in the gloom of the wooded hill where we followed and searched for him in vain. This and other owls are undoubtedly much more common than is usually supposed. Their habit, apart from their nocturnal prospecting much resemble those of the Buters especially in this habit of sitting on the watch one ditches ele. A Scl. ferrugineus was shot by Frager in Watertown Nov. 27 - W.B. grouse!
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Quail shooting 241 Pinicola enucleator 1875. Dec. 9 Snow fell last night to the depth of about 1 inch. Cloudy all day with occasional moro squalls. Had my horse harnessed directly after breakfast and starting off slom from up to Cherry's when he part up the horsa. Beating first the line of swamps behind his barn I came across the track of a grouse in the snow) And following it down into the deepest part of the swamp flushed the bird a fine cock and shot him dead as he was disappearing over the bushes. He had been out feeding in the low thickets adjoining the swampland and dissection revealed a crop full of wild rose and black thorn berries. Saw also here a flock of about 20 Pinicola enucleator all in, and at other places during the day as many more perhaps Woodale has had two adits sent in. From here struck across to the Petoamit Glutche saw when I struck the fresh tracks of a brood of quail and following them for some distance along a wall shot finally came up with and spointed the berr on the very summit of a little rock knoll. Stepping in ahead of him the birds got up with a grand rush. Catching two as they crossed in their flight, I dropped both with my first barrel, and with the second knocked over a fine old cock which was making off to the left. Failing the remaining five I started shot two of them breaking their wings & baldeing them loose along & left the remaing 3 birds for lunches. Bag W.P. Grouse 1- Quail 5 - in 7 shots.
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242 MASS. (Museum Co.) 1875. Dec. 10 Blowdy and a chill, dreary day. Off after breakfast with Stone driving up to Wamsutta when we just up the horse at Stearn's. By great good luck we had had gone but a few rods from the stable door when a bevy of about 10 guail flew literally in the yard in which the house stood and among a grove of pines, shooting up as they did they dropped down again with a few yards. Making a circuit so as to drive them in the right direction I sent one shot and when he was within about 20 yds. of them he pulled up but had hardly done so when the boys rose and went off unshot at. Following them [illegible] up onto the hill we chased them all the forenoon through the big Wamsutta woods. They were very wild, lay but poorly, quail seemed to give out but little if any point so that we did not get a single # shot point on any of them. I fired 8 shots and Stone rather won he having decidedly better chances than I. We left them at 11 M., having rattled them all over the woods and being fairly disgusted with the birds, the dog and the shooting generally Stone did not get a single bird, which I managed to bring down two. Saw a small flock of # Purpureus, a good many Blue Jays, Colaptes auratus is with us in about the usual numbers. Small birds of all kinds are unusually scarce this winter W. B. bag quail 2
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1875. Dec. 11 Clear and a beautiful day. Off after breakfast with Ston taking the car up to the farm, I in the pines along the Mt. Auburn boundary fence heard a great outcry from a flock of crows and approaching as cautiously as we could a great hound out started out of a large pine and made off followed by his pursuers. This time he alighted on the top of tall leafless oak in the cemetery, and Ston leaving his gun with me, shirked the fence and made a circuit so as to draw him back to me if possible. While he was gone I had a fine chance to watch the bird and the actions of the crows, sitting all around him some of them within a few feet, they kept up a continuous clamor which upon the slightest movement on his part fairly worked to an uproar, some of the birds cawing until this oars actually cracked. The owl sitting erect seemed to regard the fierce insults of the crows with the most sovereign dignity and contempt. Crowding the mob were also a number of blue jays. At length the owl started by Ston took flight followed closely by the crows, and came directly for the place of my concealment; letting him get a little inside of 30 yds I rose up just on to his deliberating and pulled when, 'o miserable dietr', the cartridge missed fou
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244 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1875. (Dec. 11) Nycticorax micro and at the snap he turned his flight and ere I could pull the other trigger was nearly out of sight among the pines; I fired but without effect, and he went off high up over the woods leaving me very much disgusted. His flight was direct and very easy with alternate flappings and failings. After this bet on the farm for grain but without starting anything, got back in time for dinner without having killed a bird. At 2 P. M. Danielson came up and we drove over to Medford when we just up the horse in a hurry table and struck for the woods. Found a very wild country behind the town but although we beat over considerable ground we saw only one grouse and that so wild that it flushed both times entirely out of range. Picked up a dead gosh which somebody had shot and which we found lying on its breast on the ice, Saw three Piriscola skeletons. Nycticorax micro has occurred in unusual numbers this season. Goodale has had 8 specimens already; Brewster & Stimson on Washington St. have a live specimen in a cage in their window. It has all the characteristic motions of the other large owls especially that peculiar sideways swinging of the head; its bill loudly when the cage is tapped with the finger.
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Dudal shooting - last day of the season Dec. 14-1875 Dec. 14 Clear and cold with very high N.W. wind. Rose rather early and getting breakfast started off at about 8 in the express wagon with Robert Nesbitt, Charles driving us. Being put down at the foot of the hill in Warwick near Steam's, we commenced our beat towards the N. On the hill side I made a very hard snap shot at a rabbit which bounded out from among some barberry bushes. After this we kept along the Eastern slope of the hill nearly our to Arlington village which point we reached by 1 P.M. without having fired a shot or started either fur or feather of any description. Sitting down in a sunny place lunch was soon disposed of and we started again. Soon after this I shot a very fine adult lady Pineola snub-nosed, which was in company with three or four in same pl. Turning now back toward farms we struck into the upper end of the Cotton rows and beat down through the tall thorn grass and a rabbit. The first bird I trod out actually from under my feet in an older row, and killed easily enough! The next row within a few yards of our beat gave on a rather harder shot and I missed both barrels. The third bird fired at and missed while the rabbit I shot at at long range and missed. In the lower end of the row we met one acquaintance of No one Charles.
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Newcomb by name, who said he could Take me to a place where he had net- tered and left a large bag of quail. Following his guidance we soon heard several birds calling in the corner lot opposite Brown's and two rose the next moment from the other side of a well and though shot at by each of my companions got off unhurt. The next moment Shot pointed stiffly directly into the well and though I repeatedly urged him or refused to stir, N. coming up thrust his arm into the well in front of the dogs nose and actually touched a quail which the dog was pointing at and which the next instant whirred out the other side and fell, shot at the same moment by Newcomb and myself and coolly pocketed by him without any flincher's or other side. The next shot I got was out on the open meadow where Shot pointed a bird away the grass and I missed it with both barrels my only eye's bare, fingers numbed with cold. Next Robert started 5 birds at once, I killed a fine bird after he had shot at it. Shot soon found one of the others and pointed it in fine style until Robert came up and got into position with much difficulty I shut him on and the bird fell at the report of our fourth barrel fired by myself. It proved a fine cock and with the hen made the largest pair of quail I ever killed; I also noticed that all the other birds of the bag looked of unusual Bag W.B. quail 3 - grouse 1 - rabbit 1
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NYCTALE ACADEIA Rana pipiens 247 1875. Dec. 16 Cloudy and warm, a light dust of snow fell last evening but disappeared to day. Spent the forenoon mounting the 9 guail shot on the 14th. The 3 I mounted yesterday. At 3 P.M. started up into the swamps with Stoner taking a 16 gauge gun belonging to Hudson of Concord and loaned me by him for trial. Crossing Allwife brook I was much pleased at finding a number of frogs (Rana pipiens) sitting on its muddy edge with everything but their heads immersed; Some of them own of quite large size) and all seemed active as in summer. The brook is kept open all winter by the warm sewage matter discharged into it, and the good condition of the Nyctuarcha shot four Dec. 2nd is no longer a mystery keeping on we entered the pine swamp at about sunset. I had seen a Colubio fly down into the Maple thicket W. of Port pond and was hunting for him when I came suddenly upon a Nyctale acadica.) It was sitting on a horizontal limb over the path not 6 ft high above the ground and when I first noticed it had its eyes fixed upon me. It sat perfectly erect with its feathers drawn in tighest, and looked very small indeed, not one third the size of Soots in fact. (vid. obs. Nov. 1874) Backing off a little way I shot a charge of dust at it when to my great disgust it started off through the tree with wonderful speed & celerity; but shooting a map shot with the other barrel I was pleased see it fall with a broken wing. Picking it up it snapped its bill loudly and sticking at my hand with its delicate little below down than though
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Last day of the season on Sufred Dec. 31, 1875 Dec. 31 Clear, still and warm, a lovely winter day. Took the 7.30 Exp. train on the U. R. R. and met Jim at Concord junction. Then taking a freight train on the C. H. & N. we got off at Robbins mills and commenced our beat. I shot a Scaffers only, lbs. 11's., which I had on trial while Jim used Charlie Carter's gun. Had a very pleasant day's sport, starting from 25 gross and passing 6 between us. The birds, as might be expected in to fine a day, were mostly found out in my open situations, and in several instances lay very hard. One in particular which Shot found in an Allee run, lay so close that I found it impossible to get the dog to start at all, and Jim's dog being sent in to flush it, it rose within four feet of Shots nose). They are wonderfully tough at this season. All six of our birds were secured only by three birds brought though with one exception all were more or less shot in the body and one literally riddled, and that two with English chilled Shot No 7. In one place a bird went out of a tall pine over our heads: both guns were discharged at the same instant and he came pitching down headlong to the earth but when within four feet of it, he recovered himself and striking into a small pine fluttered through it then Struck another and for some time his laborious progress could be traced
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grone - Habits of the bird Dec. 31-1875 by the sound of his wings, going to the spot where last we heard him we searched in vain, and never saw him again. Another which I am shot at within 15 yds. fell in the open and immediately getting upon his feet commenced walking off with slow majestic tread, lowering his head occasionally as if feeding, and at every twip jetting his tail elegantly. After watching him for some time in amusement as he proved out to regard our presence on the least, he suddenly went up to him and picked him up without any difficulty, and then the mystery was explained: not only was his pink brother but the left blood was welting to his bill and at each downward movement of the head bright drops of gore fell upon the ears: A noble old cock he was, and without doubt had his wing been untouched, we should have watched his whirling flight, a hundred rods or more off over the birches. Nearly all the birds started within flying distance of the pines took to them and lit down in the trees. I've such cases unless the pine is a very tall one, the bird invariably starts when you get nearly under him. Saw a surprising number of rabbits, at least 25 during the day. Had supper at the hotel and took the 6.36 train from W. B. 4 grone (2)9 shots J.C.N. 3 grone (1/2)/14 shots Total Day 6 grones
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250 1875. Summary of the season of 1875 - Game Record Woodcock 1 (July 5) 2 (Sept. 13) 'Gmail 2 (Oct. 15) 11 (Oct. 19) 6 (Oct. 20) 4 (Nov. 5) 2 (Nov. 12) 1 (Nov. 17) 2 (Nov. 19) 4 (Nov. 13) 5 (Dec. 9) 2 (Jan. 3 Jan.) Pheasant grouse 3 ('' 19) 2 ('' 20) 2 (Jan. 2) Wilson Snipe 4 (Feb. 22) 1 (Apr. 12) / (Sept. 19) Sora rail 2 (July 28) 4 (Oct. 2) 2 birds Virginia '' 1 (Aug. 4) 1 (July 23) 1 bird. Jack (Hudsonian) Curlew 1 (Sept. 25) 1 (Sept. 27) 'Beetle head' Plover 2 ('' 24) Golden '' 5 ('' 25) ''Red breast'' '' 1 ('' 21) Wild or Upland '' 1 ('' '') Grass Bird 1 ('' '') Stilt Sandpiper 1 ('' '') Thernston 1 ('' '') / (Sept. 27) Summer Yellow leg 1 (Aug. 4) 1 ('' 7) Winter '' '' 1 (Sept. 7) Night heron 1 (Aug. 4) / (Sept. 31) Bittern 1 (Apr.) Least Bittern Wild Pigeon 1 (Sept.) Wood duck 2 (Sept. 25) Blue wing teal 1 ('' '') Sandling 12 ('' 24) 9 (Sept. 25) 6 (Sept. 28) Rabbit (Lepus Sylvaticus) 1 (Nov. 12) / (Nov. 19) / (Dec. 19) Total 3 42 18 9 10 2 2 2 5 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 27 3 With dates of Capture etc. The shooting this Autumn as compared with all kinds of game bears with the exception of quail, which has been more abundant than any season within my experience, with the exception of the memorable fall of 1864, was more than double what it has been this year. I used my best judgment in taking as a whole - both shooting 251 formers seasons, has been extremely poor.
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Ornithological & Sporting JOURNAL of William Bierster. January 1st, 1876.
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(Feb. 17— Hunt ups to Prof. Brattle Plain This morning at breakfast to see the first bird of the season. William Brewster JOURNAL Ornithological & Botanical 1880-1
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Nycteaada var Garderi--rointess in 265 number Feb.-/1876 Feb. 15 The winter now nearly past has been a remarkably mild one and birds of all kinds have been so scarce that I have devoted my entire attention to house work and have not killed a specimen since Dec. With the exception of three days of very good--though albeit rather thin--shining, the ground has been entirely bare most of the time. The only irregular Northern bird visitors that I have noted are the grosbeaks (P. crenulator) which although not so abundant as last season have still been present in considerable numbers. Three or four days back I saw a flock of 8 in our cedar tree; a few adult red gros have been heard but not so many nearly, as last written. Argiothus limbria was seen & shot (Arthur Smith) in Nov. or Dec. but has not been reported on any good authority since. The ordinary winter residents are here in generally small numbers, as for instance Corvus of which I have seen a few only at wide intervals. You not heard of the occurrence of Carpodacus which must be regarded as somewhat irregular presence in winter Variety of weather having apparently but little to do with the matter. But the most remarkable fact of all remains to be overheard. The following tale is from Story. I will simply add that the herons have a regular roost on Prof. Lowell's place. They are also reported by J. N. Clark as wintering at Bay Buck in numbers & a flock was also seen at West Newton Mass. Dec. 31-75 by Messrs. Warren et Case [illegible]
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Rare Anatidae of Mass. and 266 1876. Feb. 24 The weather for the last few days has been cold and wintryish; no bird notes excepting the occurrence of Mergus albe at Roxbury Mass. when one was picked up in an exhausted state by a farmer on the 21st inst. Had a very interesting talk today with Mr. Joyce of Plymouth on the occurrence of different species of Anatidae in N. E. Mr. Joyce being an old duck shooter, an intelligent person and withal quite well acquainted with birds and moreover having spent most of his shooting experience in Plym Co. His report is fair excellence for the Mass. duck shooting; his opinions cannot but be considered as both reliable and valuable. For convenience I shall arrange his statements in regular order, in the question's answer forms. Ques. 1 Have you ever seen the wild swans (Cygne) in N. E. Ans. "Not but once when I saw two at Nesfords Pt. on Lake Mem. This was in Oct. 1860." Ques. 2. Have you ever seen or heard of any geese except B. Canadensis? Ans. "No; I am sure there are none others in occur." Ques. 3. How often do you hear of the capture of the mallard (A. boschas) in Plymouth Co. Ans. They occur but rarely now; perhaps half a dozen an taken by myself and friends every season and most of them are usually killed in Sept. Forty years ago they used to be common meal as much so in fact as A. obscura but since that time they have been gradually dying out here. Ques. 3. Do you often get the shoulder or the pintail? Ans. "Yes both; they are neither of them any uncommon but yet their numbers bear no proportion to those of many other species" Ques. 4. How about the gadwall? Ans. I have
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New England 267 1876. Shot one or two (on cross examination Mr. Jaffard a little mixed on this species and was not so certain that he had ever seen it; the "gray duck" of Messrs. gunners is emphatically always the "spin tail") Ques. 5. Have you ever seen the ring neck duck. Ans. "Yes, but it is very rare. I shot a fine male in the spring of 1872 and this specimen is the only one that I can think of at present" Ques. 6. Do the canvas back and red head ever occur. Ans. The former is taken occasionally in the bay; the latter has never come under my notice" Ques. 7. Did you ever see the harlequin duck. Ans. "Yes: three years ago my dog (a trained toler") drew on a flock of about twenty. It was Sunday and I had no gun but they came in within a few rods and I had a good view of them; among the numbers were several very fine males (here he gave an accurate description of the adult's plumage) and I think I could not have been mistaken" Ques. 8. Does the little auk occur except irregularly? at long intervals. Ans. "Yes, they are common out in the bay every winter and more or less of them are killed by the fishermen at that season" Mr. Goodale has five very fine S. Baepler. Islandica. They were sent down in the flesh from Maine. Prof. G. Brewster has a Syphium cinereum shot in N.Y. state three or four miles only from the Mass. lime. It was killed in Jan. of the present year.
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268 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. March 3 Mr. Abbott Graze informs me that june grosbeaks are still quite numerous. He heard one to day. He shot a single S. migratorius Feb. 28 the first one reported. No cedar birds have as yet appeared. He has seen Collusio buralis at frequent intervals during the winter and killed a very fine one yesterday. " 7 Clear and very warm, with S. wind. This 70° at 9 P.M. (Yesterday nearly as warm; max. temperature 68°) Arrivals this morning were Haliaeetus leucogaster, very generally abundant? scattered over the country. Anacis phoeniceus, gen. arrival; Quercus purpurea, flock of about 75 mis. Northward; Scolopax ferruginea on small flock. Melos melodia gen. arrival Rose early and taking my gun set out immediately after breakfast. Taking the horse case too far as Mt. Auburn I struck one into the Coolidge farm. The morning was lovely, a balmy S. wind prevailingly white and appearing to whisper in every sunny nook and corner awake! awake! O hair of winter for I have banished thineas and peaceful spring is at hand. At any rate if it did not distinctly say this the assurance was from the less manifest and the dry leaves fairly bustled with the myriad of crawling forms that passed over and through them; black little Coleoptera, glossy winged Diptera and many species and aspects came gladly out to breathe the air and enjoy the light of Heaven once more. Overhead was no less an awakening. The sky seemed full of bird voices: first I caught the distant, plaintive note of a Thrush but after one or two scarcely heard repetitions it faded away leaving me uncertain whether to
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Arrivals - Red-winged blackbirds, Marsh Wrens, and Phoebe. MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (March 7) consider my imagination deceived or not; but in a moment or two another came towards me tracing his course through the heavens by frequent callings and when directly overhead as if for my special benefit, broke out into his rich "amorous" warble: this time then was no mistake and before I had proceeded quite a mile I had heard & seen dozens, all males so far as I could ascertain. As a rule they did not sing much and seldom alighted but seemed to be wandering about in upper air as if uncertain of their whereabouts or purpose. Next I was rather surprised (for is not the sudden advent of spring birds after the dreary lifeless winter always a surprise?) however probable that appearance may be made by long kept tables of dates of arrival, and seasonal accompanying natural phenomena) at the sudden appearance of a small band of Acclimatis Phoenicurus, all males. They passed directly overhead uttering a call note or two and after an investigation whel or two swept off Northwards; a few minutes after, a larger flock of some 50 individuals followed in their track. From an oak grove in the distance came up faintly but distinctly the incessant gabble of Red-winged Blackbirds; whether one or more individuals were producing it I was unable to ascertain as it rose dead, & I did not see the performers at all. Every bush & brushy water course was alive with my Sparrows, and the males own chanting delightfully on all sides or chasing each other in sport or rivalry. Mr. A. Fraser whom I saw at his house informed
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Paserilla iliaca-large flocks. Newton-Mann 270 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (March 7) that he saw numbers of red wings and one my large flock of Lewis' juniperus this morning, He has been out regularly very day of late but has seen no spring birds before this morning. My own watch has been so carelessly kept that I should han hesitated to believe the previous arrivals really the first; so sudden an appearance en masse of our first installment of spring visitors is not less unusual than pleasant: often, they appear at first in small numbers straggling along as if half afraid to announce their presence; so emphatic an assurance of bird faith & at least in better times to come, & cannot but be cheering to short sighted mortals hoping for an early spring. An unmeant aspect of activity was everything manifest this morning among our winter sojourners. The little titmice were drawing out their plaints to derry on all sides & two certhias were almost constantly bustle into suppressed joy as if unable to quite restrain their feelings. I yet perfectly conscious that such outbursts of focial feeling should be reserved for listening mates amid Northern forests. A single Pinicola which haunted me the whole morning seemed perfectly frantic with anxiety, flying restlessly about and almost shrieking out its notes. I imitated its call once or twice and it came straight to me calling out in joyous tones, and seeming more distressed than ever when it discovered the deception: it had probably been left behind by its companions I was watching for them. I heard a Colaptes & uttering its long laughing calls; I do not think however that any Southern birds of this latter species han yet arrived [illegible]
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Turdus migratorius - sen. ce. Nyctale Acadica - in Watstown (Feb. 26) March 8 - 1875 March 8 Cloudy & warm with occasional showers from the S.W. There was a general arrival of Robins yesterday and to day; this evening I saw a large bird flying across our place lighting on the tops of the teln trus as they are wont to do when first They return to their summer home. A Nyctale Acadica was shot Feb. 25 - near the Arsenal in Watstown by Mr. Patten of that town. 11 Cloudy and chilly with N. wind, Off after breakfast driving up to Lindesta with Abbott Mayor, Staring it's teams at a farmus barn we struck into an immense prind swamp when A. found a nest of Bubbo Vix. last year or rather a single young bird able to fly so shortadistance that he was easily caught, The nest had been in a pine but this winter it entirely disappeard and having been probably blown down by the wind. It was first discoved in 1873 by Mr. Dwight Watins who took from it a set of eggs of Buteo Borcal's by which bird it was undoubtedly originated. The next season The same gentleman visited it again & found it tenanted by the owls who had broated out two young one of which was taken and last Season as just related the ows again nested there, The nest was described to me by A. as nearly 4 ft in extemal diameter, The tree which I examined was a white pine of about two feet diameter at base growing upon the extreme edge of the swamp pine growth and overlooking a strich of swampy maple and ash timbre. The nest had been
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272 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876 Arrivals - Sayornis fusca - own - Lincoln [Apes obscure for Belmont, Me.] Nesting of Bubo Virginicus - March 11-1876 2. parvulus nests in Colo. (March 11) Situated in the very top of the tree at a height probably of 35 ft., Mr. J. went through these woods somewhat hurriedly early the present week but could not discern the probable this year nest though he did start the male bird which was too shy to be shot. We hunted through the whole place very carefully but did not succeed in finding either nest or birds. We started at least a dozen different groups. Returning to the team we drove one to Shade St. box, when we hunted again for a nest as the owls used to haunt this but without finding any signs of them. Drove home by way of the cobles when J. saw four Anas obscura on the 9th I shot a single Sayornis fusca and saw large flocks of Roseella ibaea, the latter were however seen in numbers at Newton on the 7th. March 14 Was in town to day & dropping into Goodale's got the following notes. Two woodcock were flushed in Melron March 12 by Chas Keith Esq experienced and trustworthy gentleman. Goodale informs me that he staffed a cock Dec 26 1875 which was killed in Watthan the day previous. He has a fine female Circus ficed, killed at Nelson Meb 7 - and I bought an adult male of Mr. Joyce, which he killed at Acton Mass March 17th. H.P. Darby had a ? Androeca caeruleans sent him to day from Conn. Walled as follows "Eastford Corn. June 6-1874 & taken with nest and 4 eggs" I examined the bird & one of the eggs which was enclosed with the skin. Note for the Hornsack of the Cobles I found remains of a large fawns including bill feet wings etc.
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273 Perseus Canadensis from N direction etc. March 18 - 1876 - Clear & cold with high wind. About two inches of snow fell yesterday and the general aspect of affairs this morning is as wintry as possible. Took the horse car for Watertown in the morning and tramped over my usual route. Saw nothing of much interest. Robins were collected together in the woods over the Arsenal in extraordinary numbers but seemed to be the regular winter birds; they had not attacked the asparagus berries at all as yet. Some of the males sang very finely indeed one or two that I heard sounded out this notes with the freedom of May rather than March but still I think that all their birds belong farther N and that our local birds have yet to put in their appearance. A few blue birds were seen this morning said Mr. W.W. Patten whom I met out collecting before told me that he saw on the 17th inst a flock of at least 50 individuals collected together and feeding on cedar berries; Crows were very abundant and noisy this morning. Song Sparrows were about the only birds that I heard singing. No cedar birds have appeared yet though many an anxious watcher for their arrival. Read two Perseus Canadensis & a Q Picidis Arctius from Mr. McLeod, One of the jays was [illegible] with tests perhaps 1/2 developed; the sex of the other I found impossible to ascertain. I though the [illegible] were neither mangled nor bloody. This development is not what I had expected in birds reported to breed so early. A single Molothrus fusca shot in Brookline by J. Meadock
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274 MASS. (Middlesex) 1876. Amphelis cedrotum flock of 15 Watertown A.S. Fraser Crows Am. migrating - Shooting habits of Birds, March 22 1876 March 22 Cold and cold with very high N.W. wind. In P.M. drove up to Maynard's taking my gun in the buggy. On the Winchester place I spied two Crows sitting in a willow tree and firing a very long shot at one of them from the buggy it fell dead after flying some twenty or thirty rods; its companion or mate which had flown on ahead turned and hovered over it until driven off by my up a great outcry. In Watthan I killed another crow one of a large flock that were feeding in a field near the road and had again the whole flock hovered over the prostrate bird, bowling themselves nearly house and sweeping down at intervals acting in fact almost precisely like times under similar Circumstances. All the crows were I think migrants from the S. as I saw large loose flocks all day winging their way Northward against the high wind. Saw also in Watthan an immense flock of Aeg. Phoeniceus, at least two hundred. They lit in a huge oak fairly blackening it with their sable numbers and uttering their varied notes in the usual jingly discordant strain. Albert Fraser shot them cedar birds from a flock of fifteen in Watertown this afternoon - this is their first appearance - very late. He also saw a flock of about thirty blue birds feeding on cedar berries. The snow was all carried off by yesterday's heavy (rain) storm) but there is much frost left in the ground still.
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 275 1876. March 23 Clear and a fine day with breezing N.W. wind. Broke early and drove out to take the 6.10 train for Concord on the Lowell road, but after putting up my horse in a livery stable, found upon going to the station that still travel was suspended beyond Lexington by reason of a bad "wash" in the road bed. Getting my horse I rode about the country till 11 A.M. when I took the p.m. train on the S. R.R. Arriving at Concord I ran across Charlie Richardson and prevailed on him to take a trip down river in his "birch" with me. We had a very pleasant paddle going down some three miles, but saw any little to shoot at, killing only a musk rat and a mearow mouse (N. Uvaria). The latter—like the former—was drowned out by the rise of the waters and was sitting on some floating debris among the brooms. Sank four druck two black (A. obscura) and two small gourd that I took to be hofswdytes cuneellatus but am not quite certain). I saw a single Collurio & very fine adult Buto linexus and a few Scoliorphages. Took the 5 P.M. train on the Lowell R.R. from the passage through having been completed nine o'clock, letting off at Arlington St. I walked cross country home. As I passed the low swamps the sun was just setting and I paused a moment to listen to the birds, but over the flooded meadows loud red wings flutched on [illegible] isolated bushes men rolling out thin rich gaturd notes.
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276 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. March 23 And the most sonorous jingling discord of the sparrows came up from the brooding thickets. Many sparrows were singing on all sides and this migration is now probably at its height. At least 100 Tree Sparrows were scattered along the edges of the meadow and the males were singing in full blast. Their song is remarkably like that of the Canary but shorter and though not so strong and rich, surpassing it in wild singing, unaffected sweetness. I think I have never heard it to so good advantage before and deliver that I have never properly appreciated it. It cannot however at its best be compared with that superb song of Pas. iliaca. [Crossed out] The Tree Sparrows are starting N. as the above mentioned flock was larger than any that has spent the winter with us. March 24 Clear and a most lovely day. Got off directly after breakfast and took a tramp over the farm, returning home by way of fresh p. I saw finches in abundance and heard their peculiar spring notes every where. I say spring notes because they seem to be altogether peculiar to the early Spring before their departure for the N. The only song used by them in summer is a simple and decidedly unmusical trill but just at this season they are all working busy practicing up as performance when apparently always good at anything when hard. To day after hearing them all the morning I found a large flock in our apple orchard on my return at noon very male of which was apparently giving his utter
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Spring notes of Junco hyemalis 277 burious actions of a Certhia Am 1876. attention to this matter and it is a pity that this effort is always abandoned in the end for it is a very pretty little performance. The usual trill is given then come round liquid little notes, than a barely attempted snatch of singing melody broken off suddenly by the monotonous trill again. The effect of all this is to impress one with the idea of musical ability of some excellence of which this is the first budding. Some of the fragmentary notes are of exceeding sweetness and occasionally a performer will burst out in an impassioned rapid flash of melody as if he had just found the key to that which he had been seeking then as if ashamed of his impulsiveness will break off abruptly in the best of it and return to the conventional trill again. This is to one one of the strangest of Natures freaks and either suggests, in the case of Junco, descent from some more musical ancestor or promise of better things in the future; the former hypothesis I prefer: it is as if the bird are trying to recollect some wonderfully sweet melody; trying it again and again it nearly catches the clue [illegible] times, but failing to quite accomplish this the mating season comes and at will returns to the only song it feels sure of. What a pity it could not commence practice sooner: perhaps then it would be ready with its performance in time and would astonish us all with notes excelling even the hermit thrush or the fox sparrow. Saw large numbers of Robins a few blackbirds a few Fox Sparrows. Passer atricap, still in flocks; Juncoes migrating. Saw five Certhias from of the interior a third on one place and caught up
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278 MASS. (Middlesex County) 1876. Snow-flake catching by Cedar Bird - association with Scale. Absence of Regulus satrapa Plebsiphania muralis P. (Pinicola undulata) last seen Water. Feb 20 A. Fayra) March 25 Cloudy; this about 32°; commenced snowing at 8 A.M. and snowed hard all day most of it melting as it came). The prevailing feature of this winter has been the frequent light snow storms. We have had some 40-9 before it is stated—and rarely any of them have remained on the ground more than a few days. Went up on the 7.35 car this morning and calling for Grayes we started out on the farm? Had not gone far when we caught sight of a large flock of Ampelis cedronum at least 100 in all just lighting in a poplar tree and starting after we chased them about for some time getting 4 and 9 16 specimens. Of my specimens I had those waxy appendages on the wings 6th one eighth had one spot on one wing: Of these 7, 4 were 8%. Of the remaining 9 undamaged birds 3 were 8% . Of Grayes light on our bird possessed the appendages. While we were following them about it was snowing fast and several members of the flock were always launching out into the air after the snow flakes catching them as they do flies etc. in summer. They were first seen by F. on the 22nd; on the 24th he saw about 30. Songs Sparrows were singing persistently throughout the snow storm this morning. Saw a few Hatching blue birds: I. informs one that last year he saw them frequently mixed in with large flocks of cedar birds flying & feeding with them. Notably absent is Regulus satrapa: I have neither seen nor heard of any since some time early in January whether their withdrawal is from this vicinity alone or E. Mass generally I cannot say? Saw a single P. muralis flying over the farm.
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Sturnella magna - two Watertown & Belmont Molothrus preeris - two Watrt. 279 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876 Sunday March 26 Clear warm and a lovely day. While taking a walk this the afternoon heard a robin singing gloriously from the top of a tall oak on Mr. Dunbar's place on Highland St. Cambridge. Monday March 27 Cloudy with driving N.W. wind and a chilly air. Went over to Beacon Park in P.M. to see Capt. Bogardus shoot and while thus saw a flock of Eremophila cormata fly over in a N. direction; probably they have begun to migrate. Abbott Meyer saw two M. preeris in Watertown this morning & also two Sturnella magna, probably birds from the S., though some have been seen in the winter above Watertown by W.W. Patten. One of the two seen this morning was in the old haunt below Belmont, the other in Alvin Adams' field Watertown. Tuesday March 28 Clear and a fine day with crisp N.W. wind. Took the 7:50 Watrt. car up to Wrayor's when I found ready as per appointment, and we soon started off in his wagon for Deadham where he was going on some errand for his brother. On the way over got several long shots at crows but all were ineffective. After passing through the town of Deadham we drove somt two miles further and entering a wood paths penetrated a grove of noble pines when we tied the horse and proceeded on foot to a hut which
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Mating of Buteo lineatus - unusual note Unknown voice 1876. (March 28) George Frazer & Morison occupied last season. After investigating the domestic arrangements of the absent proprietors to our complete satisfaction we sat dinner in a sunny spot near the hut and while so engaged I was much surprised to hear my unknown fall voices from a swamp near at hand and attend by at least two different individuals and so distinctly that I was one of the identity of the unknown author. I believe I noted this same voice on one or two occasions last year in April, where we also heard a pair of Buteo lineatus making a great outcry They commenced with the usual greee then one ran this note though a series of variations some of which were short haw screams and other choking cries almost like the stifled utterances of a child under- goin its transplantation, while the other bird kept up the usual screaming. These cries were some of them perfectly diabolical; These birds were either fighting or mating presumably the latter though the limit of the intruning pines prevented us from getting sight of their evolutions for the round plains, indicated that they were on wing at the time, going to the place in hopes of getting a shot I found what I am very sure was their nest in process of construction. It was placed in a large pine some to ft. up and had a very fresh look, Under the tree now a good many
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Day of R. Ostrofa Byanta canadensis - flock of 4 mis. Camb. 281 Carpodacus purpureus - male singing-Camb. MASS. (Middlsex Co.) Passer domesticus - building Camb. 1876. (March 28.) Pickets which the birds had dropped. Among the pines I noticed a little flock of Bugulus ostrofa, the males singing at frequent intervals pretty as in Me. This song is rather pretty, and commences like D. lugina's ends about H. sufficilla's. Starting homeward we reached Watertown late in the afternoo. On the road back I shot two Bobolink and Hayes a Crow. We also saw four Byanta canadensis flying in high flew toward the N. The leading bird was noticeably much larger than the following ones of which the last was the smallest Wednesday March 29 Clear and warm. Ths. 60° max. temp. Spent the day in town but made two observations worth recording before going in; on, a purple finch in full song in Mr. Choates Garden the other, a large flock of Byanta Canadensis which attracted my attention by their gabbling as they drifted high overhead before a strong S. wind. Both yesterday and to day a large flock of Blackbird (C. purpureus & Angelinus) have haunted our field spending most of their time on the ground but occasionally mounting to the tree tops and setting up their discordant Chorus. Passer domesticus is everywhere engaged in nest building and the males are now if possible more noisy and offensively disagreeable than usual.
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282 1876. Thursday March 30 Emephila & cante Ypswich - March 30-1876 Morning clear. Cloudy in P.M. with very heavy snow squalls and high wind. Took the 5.30 A. M. train for Ypswich with Stone and coming then took a drop of Mr Stone and started down river. Reached the sand hills in a very short time as both wind & tide were fair and landing marched carefully for P. Principle but without success. Then pulled back to Great Neck where we landed and walked over to Eagle hill a distance of about two miles, but no sooner had we got than than it commenced to blow hard so we were glad to seek shelter in the gunning house of W.B. Stone who received us kindly. After the squall had passed we walked back to our boat and started for town against wind & tide. When about half the distance was accomplished it commenced blowing speeding fast and we finally reached town very miserable without having either of us killed a single bird of any description. We saw in all perhaps a dozen Emephila plasters but no snow hunting. The shore birds were reported as very plenty the first of the week & it is probable that the bulk of them have left for the North. Friday March 31 Clear and cool with high wind. Went up on the farm in A.M. & shot 9 cedar birds: 6 were way tipped & 3 of them S.W. The 3 plain birds were all seen. Saw four or five small flocks but all were rather shy. Heard a Carpodacus Singing & saw a flock of his Chry. tinths all in winter pl. Saw two Antiope butterflies for the first time
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Caldicott Wilson - on - Cambridge Davidson 283 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Saturday April 1 Clear with high W. wind. Off after breakfast starting out in my buggy for a try at hawks etc. Near fresh pr. saw a crow coming very high up and getting out the sun shot at him as he was directly overhead and dropping him into the road. Next drove up over the hill, stopping to let every quail loose at the spot where I shot her last fall. The male died about a week back & the ? was getting so thin that I feared she would then the same fate unless released. The wings healed up within two weeks of their capture so that they could fly but subsequent futile flutterings about the box in which they were confined opened the wounds afresh and so inflamed the members that they lost the power of flight & wasted away under the influence of the constantly festering wounds. Driving through Prospect St. I shot into a flock of cedar birds killing two plain birds: one of them was however interesting from the fact that the yellow tipping of the tail feathers was entirely gone - I saw gone because the frayed ends of the feathers showed the action of wearing wear. Soon I heard the first Hay-bodies of the season singing clearly. Driving up through the willows I came home by way of the Warren place, Hathham, firing at a crow which sat on the road within good range & which I unaccountably missed or only needed in wounding. Saw a fun for sparrows. A snipe was started by Davidson on the E. edge of the house SE brickyard lawn pr. The frost is all out & the fields getting green in many exposures
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284 Sunday April 2 Histrioicus torquatus Scops Asia - breeding in Cambridge Was warm? Still a lovely April day. However and took a walk up to Fresh Pond before breakfast but saw nothing worthy. Yesterday I secured a magnificent adult & Histrioicus torquatus through the kindness of Mr. John Taylor of the Home New Brunswick. He purchased the bird from one Cornell, a taxidermist at St. Johns N.B., who in his turn bought it of a gunner. It was shot in the Bay of Fundy not far from the city. This morning I skinned & mounted it as it was dry for gun having been dead nearly a week. The flesh was dark like a coot's. The neck turned over the head through with some difficulty; the sexual organs were not much developed. This evening the robins were singing gloriously from the tree tops in our neighborhood, the first general chorus I have heard from them this season. Birds have been somewhat very slowly during the past two weeks as the weather has been for the most part windy and chilly. Mr. Woodward a student and a member of the N.O.B. informed us last evening that he had several times lately seen a pair of Scops Asia in an elm tree on Common St. Cambridge opposite the Botanic garden, and upon watching them he found that they entered an old flickers hole in a rotten twig; they have been seen by him a number of times at or a little after sunset & will probably breed in this tree. This occurrence in so thickly settled a locality is most interesting.
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Song of Paserella ilieca Nebels of Anferli October 285 MASS (Middlesex Co) 1876. Monday April 3 Cloudy with chill & wind. Got off rather late this morning taking a turn up over the Coolidge farm. Found cedar birds very numerous, as much so I think as they used to be in the good old times. Shot sixteen only four of which men was tipped. Of them one 5 1/2. Of the remaining one 3 1/4. Shot also a 3 1/2 Sicilia. Saw a large flock of fox sparrows and listened a long time to the glorious melody of the males some of which were performing almost incessantly though it was nearly noon. I saw no reason to change my previous high opinion of the merits of this bird as a songster & would place no bird above it that I have ever heard though they hummed through is certainly not a whit inferior. The conspicuous elements of the fox sparrow song are wildness and a superlatively richness of compass, while there is strongly contrastingly to fully satisfy the ear. A few other birds equal it perhaps in the first two particulars but none of them can be credited with an equal amount of power & length of utterance. The chief charm of the humming thrush is its quiet serenity & purity but with in that it for surpasses the fox sparrow, it falls below it in boldness of execution. The two songs are so unlike that it is perhaps useless to compare them at all! Each an masterpiece of their way. Genius an migrating now in full blast. Saw a single Skotterns a male. The cedar bird has commenced to attack the asparagus
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Beautiful snow scene. Yesterday it stormed hard all day commencing with rain & ending up with snow which con- tinued falling through the night, until at daybreak this morning the ground was covered to the depth of a foot on the level & badly deep in places; altogether by far the heaviest storm that we have had this year. Started off immediately after breakfast walking up to the Cobridge farm. Striking into the pine woods along the Mt. Auburn fence I found the trees fairly laden down with the moist snow which had clung to very twigs. The apple orchard adjoining was as thick and shaded as when in full summer foliage, but the most beautiful sight of all awaited me at the Cedar bridge behind French's. Here the trees bent in many cases nearly to the ground by the weight of the snow, formed arches and romping bowers beautiful beyond description. The cart path through this grove was fairly roofed over by cedars and yellow pines the tips of some trees thirty feet high fairly touching the ground. Walking beneath them the beauty of this fine immaculate feathery foliage was most exquisite, and a little later when the snow had begun to drop off in places the bright green of the yellow pine needles show out in fierce contrast to heavy masses of spotless snow. While my eye was taking in all these delights my ear was not less pleased, for the cedars even fairly shriek with fox garrrows and I believe that never before in any other field
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Songs of Passerella iliaca Immense flight of Juncos 287 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (April 5) experiment how I enjoyed such a surfeit of glorious music, nearly every tree had had its songs all invisible and adding fairy like music to an enchanted scene. Some of these performers spelled any that I have ever heard before on in special bringing out his superb melody in perfectly moulded bars of rich liquid delicious sound, and with the same leisurely manner as the hermit thrush. In commencing he invariably hesitated just a thought after the first note, this bird really seemed to unite the best characteristic of the 50 Sparrows song with that of the Thrush's and long after I had with reluctance left the neighborhood of his presence I could still catch parts of his song and distinguish them from those of his companions. What would I not have given to have captured that bird that I might always enjoy his music, but perhaps it was better not; the beauty of the surrounding scene might then have lost a little and after effort in a gilded cage have proved a disappointment. The whole country was literally flooded with Juncos this morning. I never saw anything like their numbers; four or five thousand would be a low estimate for just a tree bush or thicket but was filled with them. 50 Sparrows were also in great abundance even through the city garden. The Juncos have already given up
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288 MASS. (Middlesex Co.): 1876. (April 5) Nyctarcia Gardini Carduo Migratorius flocking Practising and have settled down on The mammoth trill, Saw large flocks of blackbirds all farm species. Shot 4 April's a bluebird and a Carduo mis. The bluebird had a number of yellowish tumors growing all over the upper mandible and an or an eyelid of either eye. Then had in some places quite eaten away the horny covering of the bill. The bird was in otherwise good condition and had the testicles highly enlarged. The robins now collected in flocks of 100 or more as when they first appeared a month since. Perhaps those that first came won our local birds after off. Near the Mt. Auburn line I started a night heron from a snow laden apple tree and when I came back that way later it flew out again from a spruce near the same place & I fired a long shot at it without success. It was in brown plumage. Saw several Cesthias and a few tree sparrows but the latter are unusually scarce this spring. By noon the snow had melted off all the trees and the scene was entirely changed. Even the birds seem to have disappeared as I saw not half so many on my walk back, though even at that time a few fat sparrows were still singing.
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"Apr. 6 Borealis gramineus - Kir. bicolor - on each winter & J. M. " " Pas. savanna our Waltns? 3. trictor s.a. belint. 289 " " Pandion Carolin & Vchut [Vulpes?] Acc. fuscus 2 " (N.D.) 1876. " " Pas. iliaea, Still absent. Apr. 6 Borealis gramineus, a single bird, was seen at Newton to day by C.F. Maynard; also at low place on torindo brestor (the latter shot) saw a heard Sayori's thisk. at Waltham Apr. 7 Clear with high wind. Took a drive with Grazer in P.M. Saws minimum number of Pas. iliaea anyhow; they were mostly in the orchards and many of the males were singing gloriously! On the way from heard a Pas. savanna singing at dark in Waltham. Saw a flock of about 30 torindo brestes flying about our Rock meadow in Waltham. " " 8 Clear with high wind. R. Dean was out in Belmont in P.M. with Mr. Fuller to try a dog. They got up four woodcock in the Cotton Eem. He saw two Accipiter fuscus. Grazer saw two Pandion Carolini also in Belmont. C. Hart Merriman arrived this evening and will spend Sunday with me to leave for Eastport Me. on Monday with myself and Stow. He informs me that Lon. Albecotti pointed in hundreds at New Haven Conn., in winter of 1874-5. They came within the city and he shot one from his window. He has not seen any at all the present (past) winter. The fields are now about half bare and some immense drifts still remain to remind us of the late fierce storm.
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"Trip from Boston to Portland by Zodiacia mollissima- Steamboat", 1876. Apr. 10 Clear and a fine day with rather high N.W. wind, left Boston on the Steam New Brunswick at 8 A.M. taking passage for St. John N.B. We passed a very pleasant day Meriam Wilson (from Chicago) Storm & myself making up the party Capt Winchester Mr Graham (Clerk) and J. Taylor Engineer made us very comfortable and afforded us every opportunity for having a pleasant trip. We began to see ducks shortly after leaving Boston harbor, At Shattem Island saw the first old Sguaws at Boone is, the first birds and indeed the first I ever saw alive, Seen of them, three males and four females passed quite near the boat the coloring of th drakes being especially distinct & easily recognized. [illegible] Away outside but few birds were seen an occasional Lo a pututus or a duck scurrying swiftly along close to th water being the only aves noted, I saw a very large black fish off Chelsea Brook a huge large fellow rolling up out of water boundly and shooting to the height of six or eight feet. As we rounded befn Elisabeth coming into Portland harbor I saw my first Loaras glaners aadistis in the imitation plumage which has known as Dr. Gootchinski; I also thought I saw a black guillemot flying at a distance but may have been Distation. Left Portland at 7 P.M. with Mr Andrews &ya added to our pleasant Circle, Saw some fin phosphorescence in the tarry.
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From Portland Me. to Cape Roqueaux Mo. Apr. 11 Clear with high wind varying from N.E. to S.W. After a comfortable night Huff woke to find the boat running by Mt. Desert. From here the course lay very near the shore giving us a good chance to see the glorious scenery. The coast line in every where indented by bays & inlets of greater or less depth and was somewhen extremely picturesque. The land adjoining the Coast is entirely unsettled in most places, the arborescent vegetation being confined almost entirely of Coniferse, principally Spruces. Some isolated rocks bow out of the water in the form of Crosses or pillars curiously truncated fluted by the action of the water. Machias Bay was soon after passed, and Mr. Taylor called my attention to Fishermans Island at the S. end of the bay while he said was a great place for duck. We passed Grand Menan at about 10 and arrived in Eastport at noon. It is a small place a fishing village built on a hill and reminding an Downshot of Nantucket. Here Merriam & Wilson left us. Among the wharves almost was a flock of some thirty large gulls about three quarters of them L. Aegantus the remainder about equally L. glaucus et L. lincolnius. Some of them latter were perfect beauties snow white and one or two came within good range. After three gulls followed the boat all the way from Mt Desert to Campa Bella is when they came at times very near us & I identified them
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292 1876. (April 11) [side note] Asaro [illegible] - R. Glancus Pas Principe Pas. iica, Pas. Oawanna, Duck's Island. Arrival at Cape Bojreans Apr. 11 To my complete satisfaction as to agents R. Glancus & R. Lincestums. They left Dudly along in the wake of the Blame and an around ourselves by tossing one pieces of fish etc. which they picked up with great willingness when they had drifted under their kin & vision. I could not detect much difference in their actions though I found that both the White Birds R. Lincestums especially were lighter & more graceful of motion than the R. agents. The difference in size between them reflecting was not marked at any distance but when they came up near it was apparent. Leaving Eastport at 2 P.M. we arrived at Cape Bojreans at about 4 and were kindly put on shore by the Capt. in the Ptenius life boat. Scarcely had we landed too a narrow flew by us and I recognised R. Principe's Unrocking, our guns for want in reach of it & they was so lucky as to recover it. Rather to my surprise found Pas. iica [illegible] & numbers around the house of Mr. Shond the light keeper when we are to stop and Stone killed a Pas. Oawanna. After supper croft down to two & Wild Squaws that were feeding near the ledge and shot down both killing one dead but 'Shot' not understanding the business it drifted off. The wind from the bluff is very fine & the prospect of shooting good as ducks are lying all along over the ledges. I forgot to note two adt's & Duck's Island.
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Point Lookout N. B. 293 Jemee hymen's, Plec. micola, Eremophila formita Tringa martima 1876. Apr. 12 Clear with rather fresh N. wind. Rose early and took a short walk before breakfast. Saw Jemee hymen's, a few; Plec. nicol's (one flying) and Eremophila formita several killed 15 all on sand for. The mallard ducks on the rocks around collected all together frightened at the reports, making a flock of at least 300. Their flight is excessively rapid and very like that of Cal. arendrae. The only note I heard from them while flying was a most quiet, quiet; while feeding they uttered a continual conversational twittering in a low tone. Their motions were slow and the inclination of the head and bill very like that of Colidris. Indeed they reminded me of that bird in every respect except color. As the tide rose they collected on the higher rocks in perfect masses. Mr. Thorne says they
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Point Soffrant N. B. 293 James Hyemals Plie, miralis, Eremophila formata Thinga maritima 1876. Apr. 12 Clear with rather fresh N. wind. Don early and took a short walk before breakfast. Saw James Hyemals, a few; Plie. mivalis ( one flying ) and Eremophila formata several large flocks. After breakfast set out for Moses Bay ledges with S. and Mr. Thomas in the catled boat a small lapitrook. Saw numbers of fowl all the way but did not get any shots. Every few minutes howeve brought something new or something that I was not well acquainted with and I enjoyed the jail immensely. Arriving at the rocks indeed long before reaching them I was delighted at the sight of perfect swarms of Thinga maritima, and the very first rock we reached was fairly covered with them. Drifting in within ten yards of the flock we watched them a long time as they fed in perfect uncorse. At length we shot into them and in turn display killed 15 all as care for. The scattered bunches on the rocks around collected all together frightened at the reports, making a flock of at least 300. Their flight is excessive rapid and very like that of Col. arendia. The only note I heard from them while flying was a most quiet, quiet; while feeding they uttered a contented conversational but trutttering in a low tone. Their motions were slow and the inclination of the head and bill very like that of Calidris. Indeed they reminded me of that bird in every respect except color. As the tide rose they collected on the higher rocks in perfect masses, Mr. Thomas says they
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294 1876. (April 12.) Larus glaucus dilophus Point LeBreux N. B. Uria grylle an much more numerous in winter than now, also that he rarely see them left on this island ledge of rocks. Here we also saw many Mags &. dilophus flying about nearly all high up. Seeing to the top of a rock I spied a pair of black ducks feeding on the shore below; as they jumped killed one I missed the other. Coming back sailed down on to a flock of Coluria Americana & as they saw it pass us to windward, I shot down one at long range but it dove at once and we did not see it again. As we ran around the point by the landing the old squaws rose & came by us and I killed an immature drake. Saw numbers of Eiders (sea ducks) and also Uria grylle, the latter always slow, They are big fly and all adult pl. They rise easily from the water and fly exactly like an old squaw but faster than any duck. I saw one zig zagg in a little at times. I am more conscious of having seen them on the 10th first at Whatchin island afterwards near Boon is. and at Cape Elizabeth. Spent the P.M. skinning birds. Going up to supper I heard the report of a gun behind the light house and looking over the cliff saw Mr. Thomas who shouted out that he had killed a "black old squaw." I was hurrying down to him with the dog when one foot caught for an instant in a crevice in the rocks and the next I was precipitated down some eight feet striking
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295 1876. (April 12.) on the top of my head and cutting an ugly gash two inches long but luckily not injuring the skull. The muscle of my jaw probably broke the force of the fall as it was completely jammed up and rendered asleep for the present until repaired, though the evening this wound broke out bleeding several times & I was much weakened by loss of blood. When Mr. Thomas sought him he found me lying where I had struck on a narrow ledge barely three feet wider; the next descent was at least 20 ft. sheer. Thursday Apr. 13 Clear with wind S. veering to E. at sundown. Kept the Osta nearly all day getting out to the lighthouse once or twice, but was too feeble to walk much. Sea-fowl flew all day long in clouds and the water around the point was literally alive with beds of coots, old squaws etc. Nearly all the coots were D. Am. & U. just predate in the ratio of about one of the latter to five of the former. Only a few Redwing W. finda seen dead. Sheldrake apparently all M. Ferrator were likewise flying. They come by in flocks of each one twenty and string out more than the other fowl & also keep higher above the surface of the ocean. Saw aerial immense flocks of brant (B. breata) and Shags (C. dilophus). The latter resemble the former almost exactly while on wing but fly different. Storm spent most of the day diving field.
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296 1876. Friday Apr. 14 Point Reyes N. B. Columbus Cagnaticus Columbos tortuatus Orculus Carbo Dumalus prospens - Circus Hnd. Cloudy with E. wind and frequent showers of mist & rain. From this morning feeling rather though but with a pretty fair head. Shortly after breakfast two geese (G. Can.) came flying along close to the water and lit off the point. One of them swam quietly ashore and climbed up on a rock while the other - more suspicious - kept swimming about out of range of the land. Borrowing Stone's gun I started to stalk them and succeeding in getting up behind a rock within boy range, got a shot at the bad & neck of the one sitting on the rock and killed it. The other flew off but afterwards came back and answering its hank I called it up within long range and shot it it but without effect. Afterward went out on the point and lay for four time without getting any good shot though I find three long ones. This morning there was a heavy flight of coots and birds flew all day in & demtany manner. In the P.M. there was a large flight of Gulls (Lo. a putatus) and Cormorants, of the latter all were G. dielpinus graptus five G. Carbo which came along very near the point, the white patches on head & flanks showing plainly. Saw several fine black old squaws & many changing Id. spent much of the time watching the fowl though the telescope. Saw a good many widers & found large flocks of brants, Two Columbos tortuatus one Circus Hendersonius & one Dum. prospens
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Point Ledge N. B. Habit of the Coas. 1876. (April 14) Last night some twenty birds were killed by flying against the light and we found them this morning dead on the ground beneath it. All were M. melodia with the exception of one P. Avanna and two Jaccos. There were at least 100 M. melodia in the clearing around the house to day. I have spent much time both yesterday and to day watching the sea-fowl through the glass. The Coas are especially interesting and are decidedly the most likely of the water fowl here. They have a peculiar habit of rushing around on the surface of the water apparently walking on their tips of their toes with bodies backs nearly perpendicular, and uttering incessantly meanwhile a curious and indescribable note very loud. This comes from the sea in all directions and often when the flock is too far off to be seen. Last night we heard them as late as 10 o'clock. I have noticed this habit only in C. Americana & think the note is uttered only by them. To day I saw distinctly several C. perspicillata drinking the water lifting up their bills like pens. All the Coas are exceedingly graceful on the water and stretch up their backs much more than the old Squaws which carry their bills scarcely above the surface & sit very low in the water. The Sheildskies seldom light near the Point indeed I have seen only one in the water so far.
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298 1876. Saturday April 15 Point Lepsray N. B. Diurnal migration of small birds Cloudy with occasional rain and heavy fog all day. A very heavy flight of foul continues intermittantly all day. Gulls were the most numerous represented and of them as before the C. Am. was largely in spess. Have seen only a few C. fusca and then always flying separately. So day hardly any foul was seen to light and this Mr. Thomas tells me is always the case when they are flying well. Saw two or three very large flocks of S. mellissima at least 75 birds in some of them. They fly very low over the water and usually in a thin parallel line like the front rank of regiment of soldiers. They present a most beautiful appearance the drakes shining almost entirely white. Went down on the rocks in the forenoon and lay there several hours but did not get a single good shot. Storm howan killed an old Squaw - a drake in winter pl. Sitting on the point it was most interesting to see the small birds come in out of the mist from the S. for many species were migrating at midday. Sparrows of various kinds but principally M. melodia, junco, and Pas. silicd came trooping along close to the water and all alighted among the rocks as soon as they reached the point. An very large flock of Chardas migrating a number of orioles and a Chrysomitra - also landed. Saw a good many loons and one flock of Hiriga mantinea came by the point.
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Point Lepranx N.B. 299 1876. (April 15) Posetes graminus - Tardus pallat & migratorius Spizella monticola Bagulus Petrape - After dinner went down agin Ston going out in the boat with Mr. J. and got just off the point while I sat under the rocks, I killed an old Squaw & spiff, and a butter bill cost the latter a fine adult. & The first I shot flying as it rose from the water the latter was one of fine that came swiftly past me within good range returning their peculiar murmuring as they flew. I also missed a good shot at an adult & O. just visible that came by Mr. Stone shot two & O. Am. from the boat. A good many M. serrator flies; they seem to keep invariably much higher above the water than the other birds and usually fly in single file. Single ospreys often continually flying about but none came within range. The flight of the old Squaw is peculiar and serves to distinguish it at once from any other bird. It is somewhat more erratic that in its sections than the other ducks and there is a certain peculiar dip to the wings; sometimes these numbers look as if they can acting independently of each other but this of course is only apparent. Arrivals of small birds, now Posetes graminus several; Tardus pallasi members; Tardus migratorius number. Rain has no & sensible since the 12th. Took a walk back in the woods in P.M. 4 saw Bagulus Petrape & Spizella monticola. Had a lovely sunset off the point.
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300 1876. Sunday April 16 Point Repseaux N. B. Extraordinary flight of fowl, Morning clear with S.W. wind. Clouded up in P.M. and rained hard in the corn, with half a gale from the S. Through the forenoon a few large blocks of coots flew. After dinner took the telescope and went down to the lee side of the point with Mr. Thomas and lay there till 3 o'clock time. The fowl commenced moving almost as soon as we got there and the flight that we witnessed from that time till nearly dark was one that exceeded all my expectations. Thousands upon thousand of fowl were continually passing, straining out in long lines, branched together in masses, -- in every conceivable form of marsh-hen in fact -- all streaming along shore to the Eastward. Nearly all these birds were coot and most of them C. perspicillata in contrast with previous days. Great numbers of brant also flew at least 1000 being observed. Saw two or three good flocks of Eiders also. The first coots lit in the water a good deal to day. In the corn to the W. at least 200 collected in a bed and I watched them a long time through the glass. On the flood I could find only a single pair of C. An., all the others being C. perspicillata. The males are beautiful in their full plumage. Again I distinctly saw them drink the salt water, lifting elevating the bill almost perpendicularly at each sip. The peculiar murmuring motion seems to be made
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"Point Logroux N.B. Habits of the Coots etc. Galindo Wilson" 1876 (April 16) by both the greys and this flock was further it incessantly, then Murgues arrath also let meal us and I had a good chance to watch them, one of them caught what looked like a small eel and had apparently made trouble in swallowing it swimming rapidly about and shaking it violently in its bill. Two old gheans, both drakes in prim.pl. came in clearly under the bank and I watched them also carefully. They are exceedingly beautiful and graceful on the water holding their long tails rather high) and moving about with great care. In common with the coots they always open their wings as they dive, the motion being very conspicuous when watched through the glass. The loons and shildskies dive very differently and much more gracefully giving a forward leap so that the whole body merely clears the surface and leaving only a srip on the water while the other birds make an irregular splash. Of the coots C. propellata is the more graceful, B. Am. stretches up its neck moon and at times looks strikingly like its fresh water mammal. Galica Am. it frequently carries its tail nearly vertically. In flying the coots always pass low over the water the long lines following the undulations of the waves. In diving the whole flock disappears almost at once. Took a walk after supper & started a sweep on the berrins behind the house
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Point Defiance, W. T. Colymbus infutricalis. 302 1876. Monday April 17 Clear with S. wind. The South winds bear by the way are the coldest winds of all and correspond with our Man, S. wind. Then was a steady flight of cost and brand all the forenoon but after dinner time only a very few feathering four passed. Went out in the boat with Stow after breakfast and lay off the ledge all the forenoon. Fired a number of shots and knocked one S cost between 100 but got only two into the boat a S & S O. pullifecilla. The male is a most beautiful bird when freshly taken, the coloring of the bill being a vivid blood red shading into carmine, white and a large blotch of glossy black. The feet are very deep carmine and black. The cost came for the most part shy of the boat but occasionally a flock came within long range. They are extremely tough and we held the shot thick enough that did not fall, others dropped their feet at the report, leaving the flock dropped off on the water, but when we went for them they would dive so persistently that we finally failed to get them. Saw a few Colymbus infutricalis flying: They look much finer than the land & the neck appears very slender. Mr. Thomas shot a G. Enotus down years ago. After dinner went down on the rocks and I knocked over a Cheddrate at about 100 yds, but failed to get it as it was only one broken. Skinned birds the rest of the P. M.
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1876. Tuesday April 18th Clear and calm. Went out in the boat immediately after breakfast with Stone and spent the forenoon. Birds commenced flying at sunrise and continued steadily passing until 1 P.M. when they ceased altogether but later in this afternoon a few more large flocks went by. THE Brant as usual predominated and the flocks are now almost exclusively C. perspicillata with a good sprinkling of C. fusca the latter much less often the flock with the brutes bills than the C. perspicillata and almost always flew alone. C. Am is evidently the first to migrate, C. perspicillata next and C. fusca closes the migration. The number of the coots that passed this morning through, almost incredible can well have equalled by the Brant which passed in perfect multitude. Of the latter hundreds of flocks were seen and these were barely composed of less than 100 individuals. Their notes which I heard often are a confused and rather feeble gabble not nearly so musical as the hoot of B. canadensis. Their flight is usually about 18 ft above the water and they are generally crowded together in clusters, this happens is almost precisely like that of the wild goose. Several large flocks of S. mollissima passed and on gave no a long shot but in fallo
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304 Point St-Pierre, N.B. 1876. (April 18) to get any down. Fired about twenty shots after at an average distance of about 50 yds. as the birds run very shy of the boat. Shot into the boat 3 birds, 4 coot & sold (squaw?) a Q but little larger than a teal. Besides then we shot many others that scaled off and dropped too far off to be recovered. Their tenacity of life is perfectly wonderful and hard that of any other bird that I have shot. A male Q. Am. that we shot down from a flock don repeatedly and we finally shot it again with 1/3 knocking it on its back when it lay kicking its feet in the air until we got very near it when it turned over swam a few yard calling loudly & then went down again & when a long distance under water. This was actually repeated three times before the bird could be caught, one of shot knocking 't on fairly. I discovered the true note of the O. perspicillata; it is a short qua, qua, quac quim when flying as observed to day. The flight of all them species of coots is perfectly identical. Any of them always pass the brant casily and in a few minutes have taken far behind. The shooting is very wasting when birds fly as they did to day, and the flock presents a very pretty appearance as they come shifty up on the water at times
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Point Loreau, M. B. 1876. (April 18) flying so low over the surface that they are lost to view behind each swell. In the afternoon we went out again for a short time and shot two fin adlt. 2 & jarquieillota. When la cost is hard hit and flying off drops, a portion at least of the flock usually turn back and light near him. Saw my first raven to day, a fine large fellow that passed almost within foot of the light house. He looked very like a crow rather longer than larger, his flight rather more easy with on or two intervals of sailing. Early this morning Mr. Stouds saw a pair of harlequin ducks diving near the rocks but they soon left. I forgot to mention that Mr. I informs me that the ravens build in the face of a rocky cliff about a mile to the East of here. Hornsants are flying about all day as usual. In the afternoon saw a pair of Brin guyllle flying over the point and watched them a long time through the glass. They make a very clear dash like a loon leaving only a ring on the water. I find myself now able to distinguish all the water fowl at almost any distance when on wing. The most mark prominent characteristics are briefly as follows. Brant; flashing of wings like B. Can, but form of flock different & a long line parts
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306 Point Lepreau, N.B. 1876 April 18. thick clumps or clusters, loons, long neck & feet stretched out behind flapping of wing quite rapid and course always direct. Bider ducks prominent colors & flight heavy always over the water flapfling lower than the coots but not so slow as the brants. Shillbrake flight always at the height of about 20 yds above the water very swift with exceedingly rapid beatery of the wing. Whistler flight highest of any of the fowl here with very rapid wing beats and prominently large head. Cormorant flight exactly like a loon at most times but neck thicker and colors different. Sometimes they sail lower in a half circle of mount straight on with half a dozen quick beats of the wing like a night hawk return rising in the air to boom" frequently or will start up in this way from a flock passing overhead. Their alleged resemblance to brant when flying is only true in so far as related to the order of the flock; the way brats are much quicker & the shape of the bird different. The Wrie grylle always skims slow clon to the water inclines to the right or left every few yards & lights gently like a coot. The old squaws flight has been before mentioned before, they invariably skim along the very surface of the water & their flight reminds me somewhat of Petrel's has a 3 D. wings skin
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Point Lefrecaus, N. B. Monday April 19 Alternately cloudy and clear. Wind light and changeable shifting entirely round the compass during the day. Boat flew well from daylight up to about 4 A.M. when they stopped entirely. Born at 5 and with S. Went out in the boat. Fired a number of shots all long as usual but got only two cost both O. purpiceilla adt S.S. Shot down several others that escaped. At least half the birds that passed were O. fusca, the remainder nearly all O. purpi. After breakfast started out again with Whomes & S. Got a long shot into a flock of O. fusca and killed one a rather poor if they flew a long distance and dropped dead. Then a flock of ten
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(April 19) swim with only the bill above water as some of the fresh water ducks do. After this he started for the ledges and arriving there found an immense bed of coots sitting on the water. At least 500 must have been collected together sitting in clusters with rafting ones between covering an acre or more of water. I got one good shot & knocked down two & bruten bills both of which for a wound were killed dead. Then we went ashore on the rocks leaving Mr. J. to scull about in the boat and stir them up. Storm got one good shot & killed one & I knocked over a bird from a flock at the longest distance I ever saw a bird shot - 100 yds at least & this with 10 3 shot. It fell into the water broken winged & got off at of right before the boat came. Mr. Y. saw a flock of about 50 Y. martins & said they were so shy that he could not get within range of them. He also started an immense flock of brant out of the water. Only two or three flocks of the latter birds flut this morning & the flight has probably ceased. As we left the ledges I caught sight of a brants head among the rocks above high water mark & stalking it, got a flying shot as it bow like a black duck with a high quick spring. It flew off some hundred yards then lowered it had & finally striking the water had just turned a somersault.
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Point LePream, N. B. 1876 (April 19) I lay dead upon the surface. Upon picking it up my chagrin was greater to find it worthless as a specimen for the lower mandible was entirely gone -- fairly torn out by the roots probably torn off by a rifle ball and certainly done only a few hours before! I heard to day the note of O. fusca several times; 't is a hak-ha-hae very like the note of O. puspilellota but a little higher. Saw a few scattering Eider ducks around the ledges but no flocks since to day. Spent the P.M. packing up for our start home to morrow. The appearance of a flock of O. puspilellota as they come up to the boat is very beautiful, the heads of the males appear snow white. A very remarkable fact is the discrepancy of the sips in the flocks of coots we have seen him. Only two females have been shot & but surely more than two or three can been in flock; indeed frequently flocks of twenty or more are composed entirtly of males. Last night by my dark lamp went out to see the small birds come against the light how's a most interesting sight it was. Sparrows of some species kept coming up like moths, and a candle very now & then on would dash against the glass & fluttering a moment fall to the ground. Some more wary kept coming & going from the streak of light but avoided too close contact. I caught a James sailly as it fluttered against the window,
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310 1876. Thursday Apr. 20 From Point Defiance W.B. to Boston Man Blaze with Strong N.W. wind. Pack'd all our things after breakfast breaking previously to to Taylor at St. John to Stop for us at the point. The steamer appear'd at about 10 A.M. laying to, sent the life boat with a crew of 4 men & the 1st mate ashore for passengers and luggage. As soon came under the guards of the steamer the wind & tide raised a heavy chop sea and for a few moments then seem'd very prospect of the boat getting down or capsized but we finally got aboard all right. Reached Boat port at 1 P.M. and found Merriam & Wilson all right. Leaving the town at 2 P.M. was had to run entirely around Campa Bella but now upaid for many other tediousness by the fine wind. Reached Mt. Desert by sunset and enjoyed the superb scenery under the best possible effect. Saw very few Ducks and one "Shag". Friday April 21 Cloudy with rain & wind from the S.W. Rose at 5 to find the boat running up Portland harbor. Reached the city, at 5.45 & left it at 6.30. After a smooth passage arrived at the wharf at Boston at 8 P.M. Seeing nothing by the way more remarkable than a flock of Brantle & another of 6 fuscars off Shaloton island. Found Charles on the wharf and taking Taylor with us we drew out, stopping a moment at York to haul my Batter'd gun. The expense of this trip ran as follows 5 Tickets (each way $5.00) 10.00 21.00 Whals on boat (each way $5.00) 5.00 1.00 For old age Board at Thomas 60p/day 6.90 1.00 " having 28.00 28.00
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Saturday April 22 Scops Owl, nest two eggs fresh Beltsville Heavy flight of Daplin - Arrivals of birds within my obsences in N. B. Clear and warm. Spent the day amongst my geese and thinning ducks! Late in P.M. took a drive with Stone and when coming through School St. a little after sunset my eye happened to light on a Scops that was sitting on a horizontal limb directly over the road. He was very tame and after watching him a moment I got out and commenced putting stones at him. Every time the Stone passed him he would dive down nearly to the ground and sweeping off gracefully, alight on the next tree dropping upon the limb and fluttering his wings adding like a Pouto. Finally he took refuge in a hollow trunk peeling out at me so grotesquely that I could scarce refrain from laughing but when I commenced to climb up he was off again. Mr. Atgair afterwards informed me that he visited the nest of this bird in the farm orchard yesterday and found the female sitting on two eggs & this was undoubtedly the male parent. Juncos are still abundant & few for Sparrows remain. Cusches pallasi Assumed Apr. 2. Pines Apr. 2. coronata Apr. 2. palmarium Apr. Regular Calendula Apr. Bar. suifus Apr. Balneo Risgins. Apr. Porzana Carolina Apr. Cerphle Aleyan Apr. 16 Syngetta Jmbella Apr. S. socialis Apr. Arborescent vegetation is remarkably far advanced. The chestnut hars are well unfolded and the false bass quite large. Boge noted the Pouto lineatus nest in deadhaws on the 20th and found the 2 sitting on three eggs. He had to throw Stones at her to get her to fly & find twice, missing both times.
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312 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Tuesday April 25 Cloudy and very disagreeable with E. wind. After breakfast Charlie drove me up to the Warren swm where I hunted hard for a woodcock nest with shot. Flushed a J cock within 6 ft. of the spot when I took my nest last year but did not succeed in finding either the C or nest though I doubt not that it was there somewhere. Shot worked very finely making the excellent record of 8 points on 9 birds and 4 of them grown. Started also a bag of 4 quail and got points on them after they scattered. Saw a few juncos and a moderate number of D. palamos et coronata. Wednesday April 26 Cloudy and chilly with E. wind. Took the 8.40 Watr, car and got off at Frayer's to visit his owl nest with him but found he had gone already so struck over to the nest and examined it carefully. The C was sitting on 2 eggs Sat. but 4 (as I afterwards heard) found the whole affair cleaned out this morning. The hole was a natural opening when a limb had rotted out, staged afterwards excavated by a Colaptes which raised a brood of young thrush in 1874. Last year 4 found a Scops with 3 young in the hole & left them untouched. The cavity was of the usual interior shape & descended 12 in. The bottom was lined with feathers all that I could plainly see (than of the robin), Windmills
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Arrivals 26. horsecress - am. Belant, Mm. Mel. palustris - G. A. Bancroft, 24th & Dam. 313 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. April 26) The two were several pullets as usual. Then was no nest material beyond the factory. The sitting bird examined by J. Set was like the one that I saw the same morning, a gray owl. Last year the bird with three young was red. After leaving here I searched all the orchards on Flagstaff Hill but found nothing. Returning home by way of the plowd saw a single B. horsecross Mel. palustris were seen in numbers yesterday by or on the 24th by R. Dean. J. M. drove up to the willows with Aggar and visited the grove where I found my Buteo linatus nest last year, but the plot was pulled down - probably rotted as J. has seen the birds there lately. Then visited several fields art both and found pullets under them but no bird or nest therein. Saw I heard a member of B. Calandra. Saturday April 29 Clear and a lovely day. Took the 7:30 train for Boonville intending to hunt for the nest of the red-tailed hawks that I saw near the depot in 1875. Found the bird sitting on nearly the same tree when I entered him last season and upon nearing the spot he rose high in the air and sailed for a long time overhead but I could not find the nest though I searched all the woods in the neighborhood. Found two crows' nests, both in the extreme tops of pines. Both birds startled off
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314 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (April 29) Assols Virio solitarius an & Brinsea W. Muscicapa garrula y. as Vinton (Ap. 28) C.G. Nest building of Pirus atricapillus in silence and flew when I came under the tree and flew away through the trees as stealthily as possible. Spent the whole forenoon hunting through the woods for hawks nests & the orchards for owl but found absolutely nothing excepting a chadue's nest which from the peculiarity of the situation merits a few remarks. I was standing still in an oak grove when I heard a dull tapping almost at my feet & looking clerly saw a chickadee emerge from the top of stump with a mouthful of cotton fibre which she flew off some distance with before dropping, going up to examine the oak nest more closely. I found that the bark had started off from one side of the stump (an oak) 20 in. high x 6 in. diameter) leaving a small space between it and the other wood. Entering at the top, the birds had worked at first in a little then downward until the cavity became deep than the indirect rays of light would penetrate. The little fellow soon came back and put bridle to work again. Regarding my own proficiency in the best Saw a number of D. Palumbus (now) few D. juncia and a number of B. Calandula; tho first & last an unusually abundant this year. Assols our Muscicapa garrula an & Virio solitarius on 6 both migr. One each of them were also seen by Mr. Cope in Brookline. Saw a few Lar. Albicollis but Mr. Maynard tells me he saw them April . Then was a great arrival of
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Arrivals (Apr 20) Pipilo erythrophthalmus
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Melanistic Buteo 3 Burdus migratorius just 4 egg fulls. Moton. Sycor. Gen. or Dir'd Mortaries- forlornest- the last 2? fledgls White erythropt, Lord & Someter Monday Notes on Bubo Virginicus- just off gray against May 1 Clear and very cold with N.W. wind. Max temperature 40°. Rose early and out Shape at his house by appointment. Drove up to Winoska with him and visited the swamp when the air looked for the great horned owl's nest in March. Hunted the whole place very thoroughly for hawks nests but did not see an egg all day though a pair of Buteo lineatus were hanging about the place and by this persistent dogging of our footsteps convinced us that they had a nest somewhere in the vicinity. The 6 cans overhead a number of times and I had one very fair shot at him but the sun being too high on badly that I missed. Saw one of the Buteos then's apparently and I fired a long shot at him without effect. He was followed by a mob of crows as usual & was excessively dry. A number of pellets that we found in his heart sack (known size) one of them was composed entirely of shanks hair and bones among the latter the claws of the front feet being all present. Saw also an Accipiter fusca, and a large hawk coal black. The latter was emphatically not An Archibuteo and I think it must have been a melanistic Buteo borealis as it was very large & its flight etc identical with that Grecis. It passed my guard I had a good view of it. Shot two Vireo solitaries & two Herinda's possomus. Then was a general shot of D. Sotterius and F. shot a 6' Pjilo, O. coracina at palmarum still abundant. Sayornis in small companies & apparently not much just. I found a nest of Tundrus mig. with 4 egg fulls.
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317 Arrivals Petrochelidon hermyfrons - 1 8' Ground (??) Gambetta melanoleuca - 2 8' 1876. Tuesday May 2 Clear with high N. wind. Now early and took the train to Concord, got gun boat at Butttricks and started down river. Landed about the middle of the great meadows and started to beat for snipe when I espied two Gambetta melanoleuca feeding on the edge of a pool. Calling in the dog I walked up (for there was no cover) to within 30 yds. and killed both at a shot. They were in fine spring plumage and proved on dissection to be both males. Shot the rest of the way down without seeing anything but returning to the boat "Shot started off up the meadows and came to a fine point" Hurrying up to him I started about ten snipe that were lying around him killing one and missing two more. Afterwards just up thru shore near the same place killing two and missing one, Shot also a Petrochela humifrons and two H. horrescens. Starting again down river I rowed to below Balls Gill where I took lunch in a pretty little sunny cove. Saw nothing here excepting a Bandion Carolinensis and numerous D. coronata et phalacris. Returning to the main meadows Shot found and pointed handsomely two more birds both of which I killed. Here I also shot a crow at quite long range. Reaching Butttricks at 3:30 I started for the depot but when crossing the "Red bridge" Shot ran out into the meadows and pointed a snipe which after firing three times at with no 3 shot I bagged. Saw three gray quails Bag of W. B. Snipes 6 - mini, yellow legs 2
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318 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Wednesday May 3 Nest of the woodcock Cloudy and chill, with E. wind. Spent the forenoon mounting birds, and took the 4.15 P.M. train for Concord when I met Jim by appointment and drove up to Mr. Robbins in Barlya to see a woodcock nest. Arriving a little before sunset Mr. R's eldest son conducted us to the nest. When we got within ten yards of it we stopped and our guide pointed out the sitting bird which we could distinctly see. Approaching slowly & keeping Jim's pointer at heel we got within arms length of the nest without disturbing the bird, and squatting down in a semicircle about her we fastid our eyes for full fifteen minutes on the interesting sight: interesting! may more than interesting; it was a very peak of Nature's romances it was; the beautifully marbled bird sitting quietly on her treasure within a few feet of her most deadly enemy, man to say nothing of the keen scented, Hunt pointer that had been instrumental in bringing her so many of her kindred. But then the brown bird sat apparently as impassive as if carved from stone; but see the other composer did but conceal the wildly beating heart within whose rapid pulsations were betrayed by a slight almost imperceptible corresponding movement of the tail and back, a heart filled with dread at the fearful danger but a heart without so brain that rather than betray the parents trust it was prepared to hazard life itself. The full dark eye, how beauty! that too. Not a motion of the eyelid came would its own allow all the time that we sat talking so near to her.
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"At Carlyles Mass 319 1876. (May 3) When sun was just setting and for a moment it glanced out through a rent in the dull storm clouds lighting up the quiet little woodland nook and lending an additional lustre to the full glorio[us] eye of the pretty bird. The full chorus of fin[ge]s now broke out on the still air and a robin burst into song from a neighboring [illegible], but further woodcock the spell was not yet broken. Reaching cautiously forward I touched her tail with my finger tips - then her back stroking the feathers gently; still she stirred not; but finally pressing down a little harder so that she felt the weight of my hand she sprang with startling suddenness directly from the rust whistling loudly as she rose then dropping to the ground tumbled about among the oak leaves uttering continuously a complaining note so deep and low that it sounded almost like a suppressed growl. Following her a little way she rose again and made off through the tree tops. The nest was situated about ten rods from a densely wooded run, and on high dry ground in a little glade grown up with cat-tay hay & old bushes, quite an open situation it seemed to me. It was if anything a trifle more substantially built than the on I found last year and was composed outwardly of leaves & lined with dry grass so thoroughly inclosed that the exterior actual was entirely concealed. The hollow was not deep and the external diameter of the nest so small that the bird carried it easily as she sat, on the egg, win
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Chatham, Mass. 320 1876. Friday May 5 Cloudy with wind E. left Boston at 8 A.M., on the O.C. & R. with Messrs Cory & Hull and arrived at Norwick at 12. Thence by stage 8 miles to Chatham which we reached by 2 P.M. Put up at one Abnzo Nye's, with whom Cory was acquainted and changing our things started out at once in quest of birds. I shot a fine & Stunnella magna that sprang under my feet from the beach grass and later in afternoon shot both barrels at a G Cirkus Redwing that gassed me within long range. Hull shot a very fine Reglairs Johnson's. Stunnella magna is more abundant here than any place I have ever been in but can also more shy than I have ever seen them before. Saturday May 6 Cloudy with E. wind. Commenced raining at about 10 A.M. and rained hard all the rest of the day. Brose at 5 A.M. and getting breakfast started off in a dory with Son. Nye as boatman, to pull out to the S. end of Monomoy Island. Both wind & tide being against us the progress was necessarily tree slow, and we did not reach our set destination till 2 P.M. with a tow behind a sail boat the last 4 miles to foot. We saw by the way a number of interesting birds, among others small companies of Sterna Caspia (or S. regia) at intervals, both alone and among the gulls. They set on the sand bard exactly like as the smaller Species do and this flyd.
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Chatham, Mass. 1876. (May 6) is very similar but I think more rapid than that of any of the birds that I am acquainted with. Large gulls were decisively abundant & a number of murmurs being the only ones recognized! The former were [illegible] Nearly all immature, while of the latter there was not a single adult seen. Some small flocks of Bemicle bsanta, members of Murgus serrator and a few flocks of Adinias fusca now seen flying about. Loons, all C. torquatus, were quite numerous and we heard the calling frequently. Off the boarding clubhouse we espied a small flock of birds sitting on a grassy island and bowling up killed 10 of them with four barrels. The invasion was not only a short distance and I killed them all (four) in a few shots They proved to be [illegible] Americana the first I had ever seen alive yet from spring dress. I recognized them before we got within range by their conspicuously long bills. They stood very erect but when feeding walked about in a crouching position like the other tringas. The note which I heard a number of times was totally unlike that of any other marsh bird I have heard! It is a very distinct calling whistle now like the whittles perhaps than any other bird's, One that I picked up with broken return this cry continuously and so loudly that it bounded almost like a shriek.
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Chatham, Mass. Squatarola helvetica Habits of the gulls. [illegible]
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Chatham, Mass. Arrivals: Opomis semipalmatus, small number Brinoides melanderus Arcticus semipalmatus Sternia frerata 328 Chatham, Mass. 1876. Sunday May 4 Clear and warm in forenoon. P.M., cloudy with heavy fog and Thunder Storm at sunset. N.S.E. Brow later and went down to the Brant boxes at about 10 A.M., Cory & Hull lay at the “Bravel Bar” Bar, with myself at the “Headshot” Saw a few Brant but none came within range. I shot then in. Loanis agelatus & Hull on do. I also shot an E. semipalmatus from a small flock and saw several others. Saw Aeg. semipalmatus and small flocks of Brinoides melanderus a number, Saw also a fine ad of Somateria molissima which passed the box within twenty yards before I caught sight of him. Numbers of Magus Setteror and several Sterna Caspia. Also a single Sterna frerata. A flock of about ten S. Helvetica lit on an island near us and I tried to stalk them but they were too shy. They presented a most beautiful appearance in their perfect summer plumage. Returning to the house at 1 P.M. we had a good dinner and immediately after started in boat's dory for Chatham which we reached at 6 P.M., shooting three Gambetta melandinea on the way. Monday May 5 To day at Cambridge was very warm and fresh air maximum temperature reaching 48°. The following arrivals are noted Drag found out of Ref. Corfini in Waltham less free.
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324 1876. Monday May 4 Chatham Mall. The last Gullinjo trip. Arrival Veinica carating large flock Falco Peregrinus, 2 Clear and very warm in A.M. Cloudy with rain in P.M. Had breakfast early and went out on the meadows of the town. I shot (refined) pair of Apolites melodus saw several others. Marsh bird on beginning to come in numbers as I saw a dozen or more flocks of grapes (both species) a large flock of Veinica carating and several Gambette melanoleuca, Heard Red Wrens, Cestrus and a Paula Am. Spizella pusilla's very abundant as was an also crow blackbirds which are around the barns in large flocks, I saw two live Brant which he uses for decor. They were all shot last month and their broken wings were well healed. They became tame in a few days and are most beautiful birds. Their notes are a gabbly; quack almost like a duck but a little hooeese and a hiss like the domestic goose's. Their motions are all essentially goose like but they are more graceful birds than the larger species. They run very quickly on land and with perfect ease & grace and feed readily on corn and green grass. York! The stage at 12, the cars at Warrick at 2.15- and arrived in Boston at 6.15 P.M. Saw a single Falco Peregrinus on the marsh this morning. Dendroica coroniscus & Goodale, Wakefield, Mass. Three Drift were shot at Cambridge this morning by John Nesbitt.
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Tuesday May 9 bludy & Saind nearly all day, Spent the entire day Skimming & abouting birds. Heard a single Virio gibes this morning also numbers of D. flarfrons also 2 D. castina D. palmarum last seen near on ford. Thursday May 11 Clear with high N. W. wind and quite cool. Arrivals new Virio Norbaccensis 1 & Setophaga putiella 2 add 3 (r 9 or ins.) Iurdus fusceous gen. or, Rhynchophilus solitarius gen. or Gambly. Belmont in P.M. arrivals seen were Iurdus mustelinus 1 & Sirophua budariciana gen. Dend. Pennsylvania 1 & Sireius arrocaptus 1 & (singing in air) Bows at 6 this morning and went up to the swamps. Found birds certainly numerous but had to poor luck in only shots that I bagged only 1 Green 1 Potamus solitarius / 1 Ballace Virgin / Virio Nov. 3 Mil. palustris 3 Pamlus Am (1 & ) Saw at least a dozen Pamlus virion's flock. The morning was so cold that the birds were congregated in the little Benny Shetland sworks, Least flycatchers with several species of warbles were picking up the torpid insects from the ground. D. coronata is still abundant but most of the individuals are females. Rails were exceedingly numerous & I heard them every through the swamps. Saw a single gales oparminis Skimming along clow over the Meadows, Both in P.M. took a drive up through Belmont's Saw the species enumerated above. The grass is very green & high for the season but arboreal vegetation rather backward now.
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Habits of Ardetta cyllia Arrivals 326 May 12, Friday Sunrise clear but clouds soon gathered & it commenced raining by 10.50 A.M. Off at 7.15 A.M. with Ston driving up to Prospect St. where we tied the horse & shot a few birds then on to 'the willows' when we found warblers quite numerous and shot until stopped by the rain. Arrivals noted were Hel, Ruficapilla gr. ar D. maculosa small arrival, Myiodesotes pusillus one 8 Ardetta cyllia one 8 D. caerulesans one 8. Saw Scelophagus ferrugineus (small fish) for the last time yesterday and to day. Shot Pans after 2.15 & 3, D. discolor 8 M. varia 1 8, Setch. cuticella 1 8, Gonophila lucida 1 8 Ardetta cyllia 1 8. Parulas Ann. was excessively abundant everywhere. The Ardetta started from the road in front of the barn and lit in a bush on the water. I walked up to within about 10 paces then shot it with my Stephens pistol. It fell broken winged to the water and swam rather slowly cross a ditch to the shore when it availed my approach without any effort at concealment. When I put out my hand it struck at it with wonderful rapidity and dexterity of aim driving the point of its sharp bill through the skin. Its stroke was as usual however comparatively feeble. It also ruffled up its feathers like dis a wounded Botaurus and uttered an angry squawking noise. When pushed in the bush it sat with head drawn in and frequently jetted up its tail. Its stomach was fairly crammed with white cotton wool. The skin in the stomach threw small parasitical worms and around the intestines many large ones.
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Saturday May 13 D. coronata still abundant Labels of Antrostomus vociferus Yndus Swainsoni & Alicea, Nest of D. Vivia Clear and a lovely day. Went up on the farm this morning taking my Stephens pistol. Shot 14 birds in 19 shots most of them very common species of which I notched a few additional specimens. Birds were in great abundance but I did not see anything very rare. Among my specimens are Miniotitta varia 3, Spizella socialis 3, D. castrea 1, Y. fuscescens 1, S. minimus 1 and the last, Antrostomus vociferons 12. The latter started from among some scanty birches on the edge of an open field and lit herself as usual on an oak limb. Having only one shell left I wanted determined to get near enough to be sure of my bird but found this a more difficult undertaking than I had anticpated, for the bird would never let me get nearer than twenty yards, before taking wing. She usually flew not more than ten yards at a time alighting for the most part on the ground. Her flight was almost as light and irregular as a butterfly. When she lit she seemed to drop "all in a heap" as if shot, then just before taking wing she would nervously bob her head up and down exactly like the yellow legs and head of the flyer. Once when flying she uttered a low chook. She finally lit on a fence when I stalked her carefully & shot her. Watching at D. Vivia Commencing her nest on the horizontal Branch she yellow pair) saw a flock of 15 thrushes. 2 Y. Swainsoni, 2 Y. Alicea & 1 fuscescens, D. coronata & still abundant
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Chatham Mass. Symphonia semipalmata - Zenaida Carolina 328 1876. Monday May 15 Cloudy with E. wind. Left Boston by the 8 A.M. train for Chatham when I arrived at 2 P.M. After changing my things went out on the marsh with Mr. H. B. Brown of Boston whom I found stopping at Lou's. We shot about twenty geese most of them Semicellata Saw Les. Semipalmata in numbers, one flock of Coturnix melancolica and a single Zenaida Carolinae. Mr. J. W. Emerson, a young man from Newton Mass also stopping at the house brought in a fine & Symphonia semipalmata. The gunner told me that this bird used to breed abundantly on Monomoy island. Tuesday May 16 Clear but with cold S. & E. wind. Started off immediately after breakfast rowing down to Harding beach when we tried a sail boat and started off for water fowl. Sailed down to the S. end of Monomoy is without seeing anything remarkable excepting a few fluttering flock of cost. Bounding the point are placed a sand bar covered with Lorns agutatus and among them about 20 Sterna frontata. Keeping outside we found an immense bird of costs lying off the light house close in to the beach and chasing them about for some time we shot three two O. Am. 4 on O. frissicellata. Must have been thousands collected her, they were flurries along the shore just outside the puff for one half a mile, and flocks were continually coming and going. When they bow while they did
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Brahmam Mass. 876. (May 16) Immense bed of coots. Som. mollissima Sterna hirundo, S. frenata about. Bal. arumica, S. antipodes 329 at our approach nearly all together the air seemed fairly full of them. They separated up as we went off into banks and before many minutes began to return when in an incredible short time another large bed would be formed. I did not hear one of them utter a sound. The three species were pretty fairly represented, S. perspicillata being perhaps a little the scarcer. Saw also among the coots a flock of S. sonatica mollissima among them several fine drakes. Saw a number of loons, all apparently C. Yorgutus and heard one "hollering." On our way back found the same area off the point literally clear with shore birds principally Gossameria and Sterulae interpres. Also on a sand drift adjoining a large number of S. frenata. Dried hard to land but the tide was running out and one boatman refused to brack the deep draught sail boat fearing that we might have to stay out all night if we get fairly around so we had to sail off from the tantalizing sights. Runny and the bay I shot a pair of Sterna hirundo that were sitting on the poles of some weirs. Now on the first time that I have seen. Arriving at Hardwigs landing before sunset we spent an hour or more shooting on a dry gravel "sink" behind the ridge killing a lot of jays and ring necks. The birds came in turn to spend the night. Also shot a S. S. molodis that was flying past my window.
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Chatham Mass. Habits notes etc of Sterna fœnata 330 1876. Monday May 27 Clear with cold & wind, Rowed down to Harding's after breakfast and took the sail boat again getting off in her at about 11 A.M. Sailed directly down to the point of Monomoy when we chased the last terns about for some time killing four, landing on the beach at about 2 P.M. Mr. Brown set out some decoys and lay in a stand while I tramp'd about in search of birds, found Sandling in large flocks each flock usually accompanied by fin or my Strepitas interpres. All these birds were very shy but I managed to knock one a few of the former and one of the latter while Mr. Brown got one tiny fin turnstone and five or six more Sandling (none of them Sandling were found in full plumage) and I had almost given up getting a good one when Mr. Emerson find a long nest into a flock killing a very fine 8" which he kindly gave me. Sterna fœnata was abundant here a colony having evidently selected this spit as a breeding ground, About 100 pairs were collected and I had a fine chance to watch them. Their ordinary note is kil-he kil-he kil lie but when chasing on another the utter a very loud harsh croak almost like the "cloth dipping" one of S. paradisæ. Sometimes a pair would come shooting over the beach with wings set and wheeling gracefully to the right or left the male uttering his Crio incessantly: at other times they flew with arrowy swiftness and this
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Chatham, Mass. 331 Larus Bonaparti Stercorarius Parasiticus habits flights 1876. (May 17) Evolutions reminded me strongly of those of Chastren [illegible] under similar Circumstances, like them also three individuals would be seen flying together quite as often as two, when flying about over the water, the brown Gullsows very closely excepting in color. When three or four are fishing on a school of fry they seem to fairly dance in the air with delight, sometimes a little large bird will come along flying mostly with a very jerky motion but at most times their flight is very graceful. They settled on the land flats at low tide in a large body mixing in with the Sandpipers, also at times. When sitting there they are quite shy and will not allow an approach to within gun range. When flying about also they are also for the most part careful to keep out of shot. On this land flat I saw also a company of about 20 small square tailed gulls that I took for H. Bonaparti; son also during the day fair or at Stereorarius Parasiticus, they are called by the summer here sea hens & also [illegible] giddy hawks (probably from giddy hawks). Only flew for the most part in pair. Their flight was very different from above; the flapping quicker & firmer and with circular wheeling like a hawk. We saw them pick up food from the water repeatedly & in this they acted like the other gulls dropping their feet when about to seize the object. The summer say that they are tame than the
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Chatham, Mass. Singular habit of coots, Mergus serrator, Kingfishers nest large gulls and that they can be caught with a hook and line! Heard no cry of any kind. Coming up the bay at sunset saw many large flocks of coots flying N, and Mr Brown heard on a singular trick that could be played on them. Watching his chance when a flock was coming up to pass overhead he suddenly saw a hideous yell when the whole body (about 100 white wings) came pitching down headlong from this great elevation as if every bird had been shot: down they came with set wings and a rushing noise like the wind roaring through the woods until they nearly touched the water when they resumed their ordinary flight. Had they not been a little stern of us we should have got a good shot at them. We tried this afterwards on other flocks and when they were near enough to hear the shout the success of the dodge was unfailing. Saw many Shildrake (M. serrator) flying as they usually do fun in large loose masses without any apparent order or system. I forgot to mention that I saw a few Sterna Cocpia of the 16th, Thursday May 18 Cloudy with occasional rain. Dry outa kingfishers both after breakfast. Planted in about 5 feet in rather clayey sand; it was evidently finished but with as eggs. It was shaped like P. Took the mom train home saw two & D. coronata in Cambridge.
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Assual - Deterus spurus Bordalus Propetue by Cyana Dend, Stricta 333 P rubra My. Canadianis MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Friday May 19 Clear and a lovely day. Spent the entire day skinning birds all helping Stone to help me. Walking out in the garden after breakfast saw a pair of Deterus spuris, They were one of those immature greenish birds with a black throat. Came in and got my gun but when I got out again they were missing. The roth was as marked in Doc exactly like the one of the red wing blackbird. Heard a Garden Swamphone' Singing faintly in the garden at sunset. Sunday May 21 Cloudy with thunder showers. Spent all day yesterday with Stone working on the birds brought up from Chatham and finished them by evening making in the two days our thirty skins and all mounted. This morning heard the faint warble of D. Stricta in one garden. The trees are leafing out very fast and vegetation is unusually green and luxuriant this spring. In the P.M. took a ride up through the willows Heard Cy. cyana chirping and saw a Contopus virius. Gaze saw several P. rubra and a My. Canadianis. Ther 60° in P.M. Monday May 22 Clear and hot, Ther 65. This morning heard an indigo bird singing in our garden also a My. Canadianis et M. fusculus. The song of the latter resembles that of the water thrush but possesses more of its beauty. Represented in words it is like she ti-ti-ti-ti-ter. The bird has also a complaining whining sort something like that of the vireos. It just its,
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334 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) May 1876. Monday May 23 Morning cloudy & very cold. The frost burned off soon. Afternoon pleasant & warm in the sun but still cold N.W. wind. Took the 7.30 train for Gloucester. Hearing the train at the depot I found it so cold that I was obliged to run a long distance to get warm. Striking into the woods W. of the depot found the edges of the woodland literally alive with birds of all kinds all silent and collected into small groups or companies hunting for insects on or near the ground as they always do at such times. It was interesting to see warblers, Empidomus, thrush, grasshoppers, tanagers etc. hopping about together under the oak leaves with their feathers so ruffled up that their bodies looked like animated bundles of cotton wool. Shortly on I next came to the chickadee's nest found April 29. Peeping down into the hole & as soon as my eyes became accustomed to the dim interior light I discerned the ? sitting on the nest her feathers so ruffled that it was impossible to make out the relative portion of the different parts of the body. The bright little black eye did however shine out conspicuous shining when the head was. No amount of tapping or patting on the branch of the shrub could induce her to come out but when I finally lifted of the bark layers from the nest she left our treasure and lighting once by com- menced an angry flight which brought up her mate, and later (?) another individual of the same species. The male came up very
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1876. (May 23) Close lighting within two feet of my head but after I began to appropriate the nest and contents the two departed in apparent disgust & I did not see them again. When the sun came out, birds began to sing though not very freely. Kept on to Concord Colony by the day and taking the 4.50 train Down with 21 birds all (including two Cotyla diparia) West with the pistol. Arrivals were: Emph. flaviventris about, E. Irellic' one; Hy. chrysptura gn. adult; Bontopus bonalis, one; W. coronata, two last seen. Saw only two tanagers and three grosbeaks all of which I secured. Saw then Hel. chrysoptera and got one. Also bagged E. Ireillic' one; E.flav. 2, T. Alliciae one, D.maculosa two etc. D. maculosa was very numerous, as was also D. striata, Myio. bonadensis and Emp. flaviventris. Of the latter I must have seen and heard at least fifteen different individuals. Iurdus Alliciae was also quite abundant; I saw also one S. Sawinsoni; the former species has been the more abundant of the two this season. The E. Ireillic' I shot on a hill top which was sparsely crowned with yellow pines. It was feeding on a large worm which it held under its foot & beat with its bill like a vireo. Many of the E. flaviventris are whistling. I found most of them in dark swampy thickets but a few were in high oak groves. Watched an oven bird building; she carried an enormous mouthful of leaves each time. The nest looked as if nearly finished. Started a pair of woodpeck together in Hables could find no nest or young. They row with a heavy whirring &
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336 MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Thursday Start for Wpton Main D. tigrina May's Clear and a fine day with high N.W. wind. Left Boston for the lake at 9 A.M. and arrived at Bethel at 5 P.M. Had supper at Barton (Shand?) and left Bethel at 6, arriving at the Lake house at Wpton at 11 P.M. after a cold but pleasant drive. The roads were so bad a condition that one was obliged to walk his horses near all the latter half of the way. Saw a large D. tigrina on five miles below Bethel and heard night hawks at Poplar farm. Friday May 26 Clear and warm in the middle of the day. Very cold early this morning, water freezing to the thickness of window glass. Spent most of the forenoon getting our things in order. Went out a little while in the woods behind the house and shot a fine D. Picoides Arctus. In P.M. took a walk one to the stone clearing and I shot five birds: 2 pair of P. Arctus, a ? D. Blackburnia) and two D. maculosa. S. shot a D. tigrina & a fine S. virens. The season is remarkably backward but not a leaf having started in the woods as yet but nearly all the birds seem to be here. As to day Deadworts tigrina maculosa virens Blackburn Coronata ? P. fusculus, Sethe Saticula? Sp. vares. D. Ceruleona, Y. Swainsoni
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Winton Maine 1876. Notes of Botaurus [illegible] as of St. Paris May 26) The winter creeks now bringing songsters through the woods and much more constantly and musically than I can heard them before. They act as if they are breeding. Most of the warblers were silent nothing but D. carolinus at coronata being heard. Nearly all new in little companies and kept low down among the bushes. Indeed I saw several D. Blackburniae this morning hopping around on the ground in the thick pasture behind the house. There is still a good deal of snow in the woods in the hollows & cedar swamps and on the hill is a drift 3 feet deep in an open field. After supper paddled out on the lake and enjoyed a fine sunset. A Bittern was uttering its uncouth notes on the floating ice near the house and another answered him from Storms landing. We paddled up very near the first though we could not see him. He regularly began with er-kump then poomp er-boomb five times in succession making 13 utterances in all. Occasionally a fourth was added as if he were past delight so filled with what he had accomplished. The first syllable has a watery swallowing sound, the second is exactly like a distant axe stroke on resonant wood while the last sounds like the echo of this stroke. The notes of S. varius are clear clear clear > a smacking cry somewhat like the news of Mims Crust (Judas Day), and James already singing this evening. The lake is higher than it was.
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338 MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Saturday May 27 Clear and hot with N. wind, off after breakfast with S. taking the Stow road. Found birds rather more abundant than yesterday both as to species & individuals and most of them sang vigorously. Arrival area: Mel. peregrina Myct. obscur. Castanea O Chrodus potius Decral, P. subra 1/3, Shot about 12 birds the best G. Inymals 1, D. Black, & malis, Sh. varius 2/2, Paudra 3. The Blackburnians now very abundant and I frequently heard 6 or 7 males singing at once. This song is somewhat like Pamela's and may be represented by the syllables 'teip, teip, pe-pe-ke' with the last three notes on a higher key than the first two. The migration took quite a start this day and this coming at sunset I noticed that the birds were beginning to look green. In winter even is about the largest bird in spring that I have ever tried to shoot. It is almost impossible to get within range of them or to see them when you do. I saw one go down between the top of a rough bridge and going to the nest. I walked out on the timbers quietly and watching intently I soon spied the little fellow hopping about directly beneath my feet chasing spiders and flicking an abject insect off the surface of a sort of water. The song of this species is one of the best on here here. It is very like the notes of a canary bird in tonal method & purity. Spent the whole P.M. shooting birds.
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Arrivals. Warblers nest Antrostomus vociferus, Sar. abbre'd: Dings at night. 339 1876 Sunday May 28 Clear and very warm with W. wind. Spent the day about the house taking a short sail out on the lake in the forenoon and a walk over on the State road just before sunset. Arrivals were O. Striata D. Pennsylv. O. & Blackburnian & Antrostomus vociferus & Dinging in the morning. Prophet robins & around Godwin's martin box, Heres Allevans over & highly Ampelis cedrorum flock of about 20 flying over high up. Heard a Bayonet fescous singing near the house this morning but did not see him afterwards. The vegetation has taken a grand start to day. This evening visited the meadow wood (?) and wild cherry in bloom and found some beautiful Philyrae. Found a kingfisher just in a bank of gravel exposed by digging out a drain, but as both bird even flying about and freshly exposed earth lay at the mouth of the hole I did not judge it time to investigate. This evening Godwin caught about twenty trout with worm and minnows. Night hawked over very numerous at dusk flying about through the door yard alford and a few (some) high up in air. The Thrushes were singing anywhere at sunset and I heard two J. pallasi on a particular fine performance. A winter green sing directly behind the house and one or twice I have heard him in a wood trap in the open near the barn.
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340 Arrivals G. Philadel Vireo Phil Sons of Hyfotownns. Nesting of Sphyrapicus Mothrus species Duteo Pennsylon its cry etc. Monday 1876. May 29. Rained hard all last night, Cloudy and dultry most forenoon. P.M. clear and cool with N.W. wind Arrivals Vireo Philad. 1♂; Geothlypis Philadelphia 1♂; Piny. Bettanics one; Angulus cidorum g.a., Hydelmule Andore two ♀♂. D. castanea g.ar. & flav. g.ar. C.bosckle g.ar. Started out after breakfast taking the stone path as usual, Shot 14 birds the first Brito Penn, ♂, G. Phil. 1♂; Vireo Phil. 1♂; D. Black ♀♂ D. castanea 2♂♀ & flav. 2♂♀, Sp. parnis ♀ etc. Birds were still more abundant to day and the different species are evidently lacy for the breeding season. Thus I noticed that the Blackbirnamians had today almost entirely, to the tree tops and each male kept to his own domain and defended it against all comes. The G. Philadelphia which I shot started up from a log heap and in contrast with former Sawation jerked up its tail repeatedly like G. tickes and utterd a note almost peculiarly like that of D. ajilis, a very harsh whirrk whirink Heard a number of Ho. pileatus one of them came on to me; the note is almost indistinguishable from that of Colaptes but at trifle louder & shriller & always ends in a falling tremulo. The g Sp. parnis contained 4 eggs that would shortly have been deposited and her oriduct showed plainly that some had already been laid. The Beltic I shot from a tall Stub at very long range. It uttered repeatedly a shrill piranry whistle like kree kreee kree cree & sometimes simply kreee kreeee, in the first with a decided accent on the last part of the utterance which also saw up the scale. The Vireo Phil. I shot was th.bor among wild cherry trees low downist was silent,
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Habits of Picidae & other eg. Prespina Wounded Chordials 341 Tuesday May 30 Clear and cool. Off after breakfast berth S. taking the Yelah road. Edward Harrington of Salem arrived by stage last night and started out with us this morning. Found the woods perfectly silent and apparently tenacitless as far as birds were concerned, for the cold had quite rendered them silent, but as the sun got up overhead and the day became warmer they began to be heard and seen. Most of the warblers were collected in little companies in the sunny nooks. I took 14 birds the best Picidae Auctius 2 D. Blackburnia 4 & 12, My. Muscites 8 & 9. Harrington got a Picoides the mate I think of the one I killed. Her ovaries contained 4 eggs of large size and the oviduct showed decisively that she had already laid. One egg had passed down nearly to the anus & was of full size but without a shell. I watched her a long time before firing. This woodpecker is by far the most active and energetic of any of the family so far as I have observed. His strokes on the tree trunk, are very powerful and his whole bearing bespeaks vigorous energy. Just on the Yelah road I came upon a 2 Yunce that was building her nest. She worked very brisk collecting large mouthfuls of twigs and arranging them in a hollow among some small firs. She is no distant cant on two feet away from the spot in her quest of materials. While standing here I chanced to look up and directly over my head stretched out on a horizontal branch near it, apparently lay a forewing. It seemed to be enjoying the warmth of the sunbeams. The rest was a wren,
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New note of Sphyrapicus varius Philadelphia Habits of the Night Hawk Monday May 31st Clear with cool N.W. wind. Off after breakfast taking my boat and going out down on the lake while S. V K took the Tyler road. I shot 14 birds the best Picidus arcticus 2, Sand, Black brunnied 5-6's, E.flaviventeris 1, D.castanea 2-6'; My.canadensis 8'. Found two nests of Sphyrapicus varius both in high beech stubs at least 30 ft. above the ground and possibly inaccessible. Heard a new note from this bird to day; it was a chattering cry analogous to the peculiar you-wick, you-wick of Olatipo but more run together and not as emphatic. Heard a number of D.castanea singing. This song is very uniform in different individuals and is almost undistinguishable from the feeble variation of E.rutila's song; it also resembles somewhat the cree cree cree of Regulus atrapa. Redstarts are especially abundant here and I notice that nearly all the male are adult birds (picked out of hundreds that I have seen singing) I do not now recollect a single immature individual. Quiscalus purpureus is quite abundant among the stubs and dry tan) so much so in fact that it is perfectly easy to walk up within 16-yds. of them. I heard another Buteo Pennsylvanicus in the woods this morning. Its shrill whistle sounded quite plaintive in the distance. Have not seen a single Helminthophaga of either species or D.trigona this week. Stony River with L.Vires Phil, and Harrison killed another. Night hawks came about the house in unusual numbers at the evening; I killed two. They come swooping in over a little garden patch in M.Abbotts and after scaling along like posts near the ground they make a bay side I shot at on the
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Arrived Mr. Kinestri, My crinitus New note of Contopus borealis Cry. finnis Thursday July 1st 1876. Clear and the warmest day we had had with not so much as a breath of air. Started off as usual in the morning with S. taking the Stone road and continues on into the Ellenwood path. Shot 14 birds the best Myioptila cineresti 2, My. crinitus 5; D. Black burniae 3, D. custana 2 etc. Ston did not feel well and killed only one bird, a q Sphyrapic with a few red feathers in the throat. Arrivals now Carduelis fusca sand 1/ Exp. Vraillii 1; Mr. crinitus 3; Ml. cineresti one(2) Heard a new note from Contopus borealis a low note it was I think as the male while producing it was hopping with quivering wings around his head. It was a long continued chattering cry almost indistinguishable from the spring song of the q Sitta Carolin. Off Myriarchos I saw them, two of Other paired birds, they uttered the usual notes and were satine day, The M. Cinestris lifted up from the side of the Stone road and was perfectly silent. I see Cery. finnis every day in small flocks. The q Picoides that got yesterday had the largest oravis not exactly in size No. 8 Nest and apparently would not now breed for weeks. The q Sphy, Shot by S. today had laid all her egg as determined by dissection. This morning S, I took a daylght sail out on the lake and enjoyed ourselves amazingly. We heard a Gymnus nebulosum hoot repeatedly. Its cry was who, who, who-who
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344 MAINE. (L. Umbagog.) July 1876. Sunday July 2nd Clear and very hot with very light S wind. Off after breakfast with S. taking the boat and paddling up to Stone's whm we left him and going ashore took the Ellinwood path and went then through the forenoon. I took 14 birds the best D. Black burnise 4, D. castaneo 2, Cathtia Cen. 1, S phy. versis 2, Othres Poltarius /ote. I shot a very fine S Sphyraicis breaking the tip of his wing only. Upon picking him up he set up a perfectly deafing clear screaming continuously and so loudly that he might have been heard a guarter of a mile off. This soon brought up a 2 juvenile his mate which I shot. In a few moments more birds of all kinds came trooping up and standing in one spot I shot down three more. One was very fierce and spirited raising the beautiful feathers of the crown and hammering my hand with his bill as much as to nearly draw blood. The Cathtia was a Q and dissection showed them 2 eggs all larger than O and the viriduct so molten that these must have already been laid. Saw two My. Crinitus. Along this path woodpeckers jumping typistoms have made great havoc & I saw an old stump furoowed into the core the furrows 4 in wide 6 feet long. Heard the only Poecnts gram. that I had seen here this year, on the Stone farm. Coming home found a nest of Pies villorus in a small tub, not more than 3 ftm the water. I hammered on it & the S. came at I heard young inside making a soft twittering but I shall investigate further. Happed out also a nest of Hirsudo Brestie with 2 eggs. Saw a Golaphes looking out of her hole. The nest of the Redden
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Up the lake for duck-nets 345 June 3 Saturday 1876 MAINE, (L. Umbagog) Cloudy at sunrise clearing off at about 10 A.M. clear and very hot in P.M., with the lake as smooth as glass. Started off after breakfast on the steam taking as guide one of the gang of river drivers that had been careful at the house, a fine looking intelligent man of about forty with a physique worthy of Hercules. Took one of Godwin's boats in tow and leaving the steamer at Moose Point on itself into the flooded forest of firs near Leonard's pond, and commenced a march for nuts in general but ducks in particular. We hunted a long time in vain hammering on every stub that presented a likely looking hole; then and avoided the chief obstacle to access was the very abundance of opportunities for nearly every hole was more or less widdled with holes by greater part of them woodpeckers' but though many were new looking we could find no inhabited ones. Swallows nests indeed were plentiful enough but we did not stop to bother with any of them. Finally we saw a hole that looked very promising for a duck's nest and ran enough at the first look of the one on the resonant struck a lively scratching commenced inside the next moment a ducks head appeared in the hole then with a struggle her claws stopped over the lowe edge and she larnched into the air. I was both startled and surprised at the work though simply to be effected right but recovering myself.
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346 MAINE, (L. Umbagog) 1876. (June 3.) Nest hole of Bucephala Haliastus, and the nest of Anas Majarachus immediately I put on charge of No 9 gun and making for lowing flight a short distance or paddled to the nest and picked up a g B. Circulatus. Returning to the Hub my man came the swarm up when too my own exa amination another scratching was heard and another duck shot but of the dam hole. This time I find a little wildy & probably missed as the bird went off though he acted as if wounded, continuing his ascent with "great expectation" of ducks eggs my man reached the last and looked in to find only emptiness or even literally striking a large cavity with the bottom covered with damp cotton wood. Post mortem examination of the bird that recited the fact that the eggs would not have been laid in less than a week or 10 days. The hole had undoubtedly been selected as a nesting place. It was a natural cavity rather in the side of the tree at the height of about 15 feet above the water running down three feet with a diameter at its mouth of about 16 inches. Whether the second bird was the g or not I could not make up my mind, it looked very like the first as it came out. Continuing our search in & around the mouth of the Megalloway river we found several likely looking holes but no nests. While dodging through the stubs a duck came flying past very high up and giving him plenty of allowances I find and
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Next of Sphyraena varius 347. 1876. (June 3) killed her dead in mid air. She came down most beautifully turning thru or four somersaults and striking a floating stick with them such force that the sound echoed through the woods. Picking her up I found I had killed a fin of Buephala. Dissection revealed an egg near the opening of the oviduct, of full size but covered with skin only. From the small size of the opening & other evidence I judged that this was to have been the first egg & thirteen more in process of development lay among the ovaries. We also saw another Buephala a ? and found a nest of Quiscalus pusparens in an old blackjacks hole (Castor?) with four fresh eggs. Saw other nest of this bird in similar portions but did not stop for them. Cesthias were evidently brooding among their stubs as we saw several pairs &nd woodpeckers of different species were numerous. Also saw a Myiarchus crinitus, and heard a Skylarktown. Saw several Brown Holates, Lincoopholes. Starting from her down the lake or paddled's sand down to Hayward's before we found anything of interest. Here we started a 2 Sphyraena boat of a fish in a tall stub and my guide declared that he could fell the tree which grew in [illegible] water 8 or 10 ft. deep without breaking the eggs & this he actually accomplished through the hole was at least 30 ft. above the water & the tree came down with tremendous
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Three nests of Skhy, various force for upon cutting open the hole we found the eggs (three) all whole. I shot both birds and found the 8 & 1/2 called on zuchalis. The ovaries of the one contained four more eggs of various sizes. This hole was bored in very hard "dry rotten" wood. It was 30 ft up, the orifice 1 1/4 in diam, the nest cavity 12 1/2 in deep, with a diameter of about 8 inches. The birds made a good deal of noise & were very tame, Continuing down the Cole we found another nest of the same bird in an oak at Ellinwood's land. This hole was lower than any that I have seen not over 15 ft above the earth & my man succeeded in climbing to it and bringing down the lot of five fresh eggs in safety. This hole I could not measure but it was about 12 in deep. About a mile below this we found a third nest in a very tall Hush at least 50 feet up and after twenty minutes skillful work with the axe the tree came thundering down. In the nest we found two broken eggs the height of the fall having proved too much for them. This hole was 1 3/4 in diameter at mouth with a perpendicular depth of 16 inches but the wood was somewhat softer than in either of the other trees. The shot at Ellinwood's was the only one that I can say that did not contain a number of holes. In both of them that we cut down there were at least five or six finished nesting holes
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MAINE, (L. Umbagog) 1876. (June 3) Nest of [illegible] antiginos a Coleoptus auratus 349 and probably half of this were new. The bird evidently builds in the same tree year after year but why it should make more than one hole in a season I cannot imagine. The nest is very easily found as the birds seem to delight in flying out and in and have a habit of chirping just below it for many minutes at a time looking in! In this last case I noticed that the bird had to struggle violently to get out. Saw to do boldly down still further we landed on the further floating island in front of Stone's and broting about through the blue Blueberry bushes I soon started a g bittern (B. lim.) of her nest. She did not rise until I was within four feet of her. The nest was small & flat and composed entirely of dead twigs it was placed on the ground among the thickest barks. The eggs were 5 or two with scarcely formed embryos the remainder fresh. The bird croaked as she saw and ended her experiment entirely one one of the egg. She flew directly off at right & did not return. Near the house my guide cut down a short birch stub containing a Coleoptus nest. We found only two eggs in the center & one of the broken depth of hole in. Saw during the day & number of small birds but nothing uncommon. Heard a g Dotterelery singing at Stone's & a number of Fly drunks at different points, D. castanea & D. Black! Common everywhere. Heard as B. Cereus
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350 MAINE, (L. Umbagog) 1876. Sunday June 4 Nests of Turdus migratorius. Habits of the night hawk. Nest of Buvicalus in a fir. Cloudy & rained at intervals all day, Brewt cool, Spent the entire day in the house writing etc. Hearda & Mel. Perigrina in the dains, H. found four nests of Turdus migr., three of them with young and a nest of Buvicalus junis, in a fair fir away the dains with 2 eggs. He went up to the Shier yesterday with a swin driver as guide but did not get anything except a last years nest of Turdus Swainsoni with two what eggs faded & stained nearly beyond recognition, This evening I went out into Affotts garden to see the night hawks come in. Sitting down on the edge of one of the beds I had been thus but a few moments when they commenced pitching down on the freshly tilled earth. This time I had a much better chance to observe them that th other night as they were much nearer, to me. They kept constantly coming & going but so short a time did each remain that not mor than three were on the ground together. As before they seemed to be sucking or nissing, but if this is their object I cannot imagine why the males do not come too for only females are ever seen about this spot. I heard a new note from one which I startled by moving suddenly. a clucking whick whistle. Several times they were within six feet of me and I noticed that I could move a good deal sometimes without their noticing me. Their gait when walking only is as tottling & weak as possible.
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"Second nest of Botaurus leucogaster" 351 MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Monday June 5th Cloudy nearly all day & rather cool. Spent the first part of the forenoon writing letters. Started off in my boat at 10.30 and paddled up as far as Ston's when I landed on the floating island and began a search for Bitterns nests. I had hunted but a short distance when brushing about with the paddle among the low Blueberry bushes I felt a tap on its blade. Upon looking at the spot my surprise was great to see a 9 bittern sitting on her nest within a yard of me. She rises & puffs out that the chest was entirely concealed and naked after of her shape (yes visible except) a mass of brown plumage and the head's bill projecting from between the moulders; not a particle of the neck was exposed. After looking at her for some time I pushed her with the blade of the paddle when she stuck at it possibly with all the feathers of her crown rased. I actually tried for some time in vain to push her off the nest by main force and finally getting the blade behind her head I pushed it down on the ground so firmly that she gasped for breath whereas at helped offhand she took off the nest in silence and flew off to the main shore, then were two eggs only and I left them in hopes of her laying more. There was not a trace of fear in her bearing - only a fierce determined termination! This nest had some dry grass in its composition like the one found Sat., it was on the highest & Argist part of the island but unlike it
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Swallows playing with feathers Hbt. Peregrina gen. ca. Ana Pyrrhura rubra loxia Ana Pterocera can. It was so roofed one by the natural disposition of the low bushes that I doubted about the bird's ability to ride through them: this may have account for her unwillingness to do so. She had evidently entered her bowser by stooping under the the entanglement of twigs. Camus suddenly upon an Ardea herodias which gave him a good flying past & I doubled him handsomely, He was not in very fine plumage. I noticed that the Shallows (B. breister) came trotting to the spot where he fell and went to playing with the feathers that were floating on the surface. Visited the Brester's nest found Friday (and ripped open) and found the of sitting or 5 eggs. Harrington came in with 8 Mol. peregrina I heard a number of them were recently at general arrival to day, Storm flew & Pterocera can. and saw a flock of Mig or Kern. He also saw a of Batis In P.M. I went out on the lake again and paddled up to Brown's clearing failing back. Found a nest of H. Redia with eggs & shot a Contopus Osorius Found also a nest of Colaptes in an old hole while in the very next tree was a marty bird mouse. She's rather, and came out at my thumping but I could not reach the nest. Coming back I heard two Bubs Virginiaensis hooting at frequent intervals answering one another, this was at 5.30 P.M. with the sun shining bright. Saw also several
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MAINE, (L. Umbagog) 1876. (June 5) Song of the woodcock Buto Virginianus its roosting by day Buddy of Chordula less Buto Penn. and two fourscore am. The first I have noted. I heard a Graya singing this morning. The usual hoot of Bubo is hoo hoo-hoo, hooooo, hoo Stone went over to B. Brook with Godwin to visit some bear traps and came in with a fin & Chordula which he started off a high egg. He did not see the 2. The locality was a little clearing grown up with low bushes. The egg lay on a mound which was nearly surrounded by water. After supper this evening I came up behind Abbotts to hear the woodcock sing. He commenced his vibratory notes as usual and soon after went up into the sky when for the first time I saw him through the whole performance. After he commenced to descend he Gave a number of wing beats in succession with pauses taken as noted in 1874. When down down and commencing his "song" he commenced darting zig zag with arrows like speed following lines something like 2 and at each swoop came the liquid gush of song. In this way he descended till nearly to the ground when with wet wings he pitched like lightning to the west when he had risen. I must confess that which burst of melody so exactly correspond with each swoop of the zig zag that it really seemed as if his wings produced the sound but it is hardly to be believed that such notes could be produced in that way. At 100 yds distance nothing could be heard beyond the whistling of his wings. I think the & Chordula shoots
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354 MAINE, (L. Umbagog) 1876. Monday June 6 D. tigrina Breeding of Bivicalus & Mimuscula Bestor Nest of Ml. melodia. Cloudy with light rain through the forenoon. Harry Bailey arrived last night. After breakfast I dug out my kingfishers nest but found it empty though the fish was completed. It went in three feet turning inclining slightly to the left and ended in an oblong chamber at least 12 in. long by 10 in. wide. The birds were about and I stuffed it up in such a way that I think they could not desert. At 6 o'clock the rain held up a little and I started out down taking the stone path. Shot 7 birds: a & G. Phil. D. tigrina &; D. Blackbird &; My. Can &; Ch. fuligosa &. Heard a Ml. tigrina singing. Found two nests of C. Swainsoni just finished. In L. W. Bailey & Harrington went out on the lake in my boat and found two nests of Loon, Presperea 4 eggs each one set fresh the other nearly hatched. Both these nests were built in dead Spruce trees among the branches & were of the usual bulky substantial character in contrast with the ones placed in stubs. They also found one in a stub with young & a nest of Ml. melodia built in an old robin's nest & containing 3 eggs 6 or 7 day in. I went out among the stubs in my boat after supper and found three swallow nests, two of them on with 4 & one with 5-eggs I took. The former was built in an old dormy woodpeckers hole and the egg were placed on a few feathers & chips only. The latter was built in a large natural cavity and was a beautiful structure. The birds on every bird & dove down within a few inches of ours had snapping their bills. I also found a grackles nest containing young, in an upper hole of C. Lafetae ornatus
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MAINE, (L. Urme) 1876. 355 found birds very scare and [illegible] the best Des[tr]uctonal. 2. Black. 1. Eng [illegible], [illegible]. pursues 2 etc. Found a nest of Yndus Pallasi with four eggs in the farm field where I had one in 1872. The nest was placed on a mound among some home shrubs which was not one 2 ft. high. The level was a rich open pasture grown up to for 20things. The nest was about 20 yds. from the wood edge and the 8 trees were about 50 yds off. The eggs were in The 9 flew off when I was within 5 ft. Saw nothing of interest, saw a black marlin warbler on all the branch. [illegible] form. nest of 8pizella britches with 4 fresh eggs. I am P.M. went up the lake with Bailey to beyond Stone's but found nothing except a [illegible] with 4 eggs. I took my Swallow's nest last Friday. It contained 6 eggs. I cut open my nest of Piew wilsons and found young about as large as sparrows. The hole was 1 1/8 in. in diam. at opening, 13 or day & 4 in interior diam. the [illegible] to the I went up into Alister's field for bright hawks eggs. Going to the place where Stone & I saw a 9 booming. It towards a 9 sit from the ground & I started the 9 at once from her. eggs the locality was among burnt trees on the edge of the woods. I next went to the place where I had marked another 8 plunging, but I started another 9, but hunted a long time The eggs in vain. Seeing her & I came back and finished the job in my
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356 MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Thursday June 8 Forenoon clear, clouded up at noon and rained most of P.M. Took the Steamboat in the morning with W. Bailey and Hopsony at Molly's rock. took "Ninety" Warrenston as guide from a party of river drivers, leaving the boat at the millt we rowed up Rapid river as far as "Cedar Thump", where we cut out a nest of Sphyraepius with 5 eggs (3 days in,) which we had been told of by the Capt. of the boat. Starting down river from here we spent most of the day between the thump & the lake hunting the stubs carefully and getting three more sets of Sphyrspicus' eggs, The nest at Cedar Thump was about 8 ft. above the river in the very heart of a live poplar tree. The birds had selected a spot where a knot had been and bored straight in for some thin inches then down about 12 in. The next nest was in a dead birch about the same height up and contained 7 eggs, two of them perfectly fresh, the other five incubated from 5 or 6 days. We saw only one pair of birds about the place. The next was some 40 ft up, in a very rotten brick stub. "Ninety" found this with some risk; it contained six eggs nearly fresh. The last was in a birch Stub about 18 ft up; it contained six eggs perfectly fresh. Besides these we found two more which were inaccessible but one of which we shall cut down. Saw the pair of Mergans Am, which evidently had a nest but still could not find it. Also saw a Scopelodytes that apparently flew from a stub but could not find this either. Saw a pair of Scolopaxus and a small flock of Perosorus Can among them several young in full feather fit on the member lead colorful plumage, found a
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"Drive up the lake, Quiscolas catching frogs. Nest of maculosa right hawks down. MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Friday June 9? Clear and very hot. This 95° at noon Took the Thimble after breakfast with "Vinty" as guide. Left the steamers at Pine Point and paddled into the corn wherewes build up yesterday. Cut down a tall stub with a nest of Sphyrapicus but all the eggs were broken by the fall. The bird was the smallest that I have seen yet and the bird had to struggle violently to get in. In this same corn found a nest of P. villosus with young. It was build on a bush stub about 15 ft up. The old birds made a great racket. We got two nests of H. Cretor him with 4 & 5 eggs respectively. The former was very handsomely being lined with feathers from the adult. I handled my camera. From here we struck across into Leonard's pond and hunted a long time for bird nests about the mouth of the Mapleway but did not take a single nest. Saw several Ckisthas among the stubs where they are evidently building among the stubs. Finally a thunder shower coming up as forced one to Molly's Carry when we took shelter in a camp of three drives After the shower passed I hunted about in the woods a little and found a nest of D. maculosa which the 9 was working upon. It was built in a Spruce sapling about 9 ft up & was perhaps half finished. Saw a Druscolas size a small frog which he beat fiercely with his bill and finally took off probably to his nest. Saw numbers of Chordicils out over the lake along & among the trees for
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Nest of Botaurus " " Pyramus Bo. burirostra Am 358 MAINE (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Saturday June 10 Cloudy in forenoon, Clear in P.M. H.S. Pardee came last night and Thorne now five of us scientists here. After breakfast Pardee hunted through the swamps & I found a nest of D. carolina with three eggs & one of D. maculosa nearly finished. The former I left. Neff went out on the lake & I visited the nest of Botaurus found last Monday but it had evidently been deserted as no more had been laid and the original two were cold. On my way back found a nest of Buriocales in a stub with one egg, probably a second laying of one of the birds that Bailey noted. Washington & Storm found two nests of Aquilaus phoeniceus with eggs each on the floating island. The Colaptes that I visited Monday was in her hole & will probably lay again. I found also a nearly decompleted nest of Pyramus in the top of a fallen stub. Spent the whole P.M. via blowing up my 1880 and packing skins. The woods are now in full leaf and the plum trees in the garden are budding their blossoms. No signs of H. purpurea or D. tigrina as we have not heard them anywhere for several days. The mockwood has shed its blossoms and the Quibium is gone by. The warblers are all building now
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Nests of D. cornata " " Y. Swainsoni " " Y. fuscasens " " Y. maculosa Zon. albicollis June 11th Clear and excessively hot. Spent the forenoon hunting the
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360 MAINE (Ll. Umbages) 1876. Monday " " " 12th Nests of D. coronata " " " Zon. albicollis " " " Z. Swainsoni " " " Pallasii Hel. purpurea Cupicapilla P. gramineus Elbony and rather cool. Started off with Storm after breakfast taking the Tylm road. Found nothing except a newly finished nest of Z. Swainsoni until I reached the Tylm farm, then I heard a Hel, purpurea singing and shot him. A few minutes after I heard another but did not succeed in getting him. Keeping along the edge of the farm I heard signs of Hel. cupicapilla singing. I never saw them so abundant here before. My first find was a nest of D. coronata with 4 fresh eggs. The ♀ was sitting and slid off as I reached my hand up. The ♂ was flying about 100 yds off. This nest was in a spruce dolpin some 7 ft up & from the top of tree. I afterwards found another about 15 ft. up, also with the ♀ sitting on 4 eggs. This latter was in second growth woods the former in an isolated tree in an old field. I next found a nest of Zon. albicollis with 4 fresh eggs. The ♀ was sitting and did not move until nearly trod on. The nest was sunk in the ground on a slope away naturally fiss and was almost entirely concealed by last years ferns that arched over it. Among then darn fiss I found a nest of Sp. socialis with 3 fresh eggs. In the open field was a Z Pas. Gavam Pascienges. They are abundant on the hillside Rasleys. Also heard a Poreets grass, or the Tylm road. Returning I left the path on the brick kind and happened to almost step on a nest of Z. Pallasii. The ♀ glided off under my feet. The nest was sunk in the ground and camouflaged by the branches of then little fir shrubs. The eggs were 4 & had been in also 5 days. Did not go out in P.M. Bailey found on nest of Z. Swainsoni 1 with 3 - 4 with 1 ff & 1 empty,
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"NEST OF Y. SWAINSONI - UNIQUE SITUATIONS " " JUNCO HYEMALIS GOLDSMITH ORJER. My, ORATELLA. 361 MAINE, (L. Umbage) 1876. Monday June 13 Cher and hot. Took the boat with Storn after breakfast and paddled up the lake going ashore hunting for nests at frequent intervals. I found two nests of Y. Swainsoni. The first was built almost exactly like a wood thrush on a dead birch sprout down 4 ft, up & contained one egg. The second was placed in bushes I have observed a perfectly unique situation. It was built under the roots of a fallen tree in a hollow scooped out of the earth that had adhered to the palm. The general aspect of the situation was almost exactly similar to that of rural say, fusca's nests that I have seen in similar places. The bird did not fly off until I placed my hand on a root over her head. The nest contained three eggs which I took. I next visited the nest found at the entrance to the Storn brook path Sunday & took it with 4 eggs. Also took my Y. fusca's in the field with 3. Purdie came in with a nest of Y. Saris 4 eggs. After dinner H. Bailey & I drove down to below Brown's Tavern to look up a nest of Junco that Godwins told us of the found it built most curiously in a hole in the edge of a bank. The hole extended in & down at least 6 inches. The bird sat very close but disappeared after flying off. Afterwards found a nest of Y. Swainsoni with 4 eggs. It was built in a very slender spruce sapling at least 20 ft. up. The bird sat close & contrary to the previously universal rule came up as I was taking the eggs and repeatedly bit within 4ft of my head uttering occasionally her frank, frank. Found another on the side of the road about 8 ft up with 2 eggs. Heard a Dotchings on the hill just
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Butio Pennsylvanicus, Tetrao Canadensis Note of E. H[ar]nutis. Wednesday June 14 Cloudy all day with frequent showers in P.M. Went out on the Yelva path with Stow in the morning and hunted hard for nests but found nothing excepting a M. melodia in Abbott's field. He was sunk in a hollow in the ground in a clover field. She g[ot] fatted off almost under my foot but like most of the birds her showed little consequent concern. Then were 5 eggs which had been incubated about 8 days. Haverington found a nest of this bird yesterday with six fresh eggs. This is a large number than I have heard of before. I shot a very fine adult & Butio Pennsylvanicus. The pair rose from the ground on the edge of Abbott's field and lit on dead stubs. I swelled up hardly to within about 40 yds of them and shot him. She g[ot] flew a short distance only and I might have secured her too if I had had another heavy charge with me. As it was I shot well at her, and failed to kill. Both birds kept up their shrill whistling cry as I approached them. I often see them sailing high up in the sky in pairs uttering almost invariably this unmistakable note. The notes of the & were not larger than 0. Her stomach was filled with bones of small mammals and the remains of Coleoptera. Meeded a single St. p[ump]kin on the Yelva road. Just after entering the woods from Abbott's field I spied a fine & Tetrao Canadensis at the path. She out moment she rose with a fall flutter & lit on an elder bow down. I watched him some time and noticed that his red comb over the eyes was very distinguished; that he held his tail right [?] with
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"Nootings of the Barred Owl. 1876. Thursday June 15 MAINE (L. Umbagog) Mests of J. georgiana Nest (otl) D Blackburnie " " Swainsoni Pennatipes Clear and very list. Thun. 85°. Stated up the lake in the boat with Ston after breakfast and landed on the left hand shore. Found D. castanea and D. Blackburniae my abundant at this place and climbed to a number of their nests, Most of these were evidently last years nests of D. castanea but I found one that was very probably the last year nest of D. Blackburniae as it was totally unlike any warbler nest that I have seen. I found him a deserted & thoroughly packed nest of J. Swaini with 2 eggs. Also found another near it which I took to be the second nest of the same bird. It was built on some twigs that branched out from the trunk of a huge Birch some 15 ft. up, keeping further up the lake shore we landed again and here I found a nest of D. maculosa with an egg & two nests of O. Swainsoni, the first with one the second with 2 eggs. Also shot a & Sphysapus after watching him catching flies for young twins. Heard a Barred Owl hoot very distinctly near the shore; his note was whoo whoo, whoo-hoo, whoo whoo whoo-hoo-ah. Took a nest of Russeas which was very neatly placed under some slabs of bark that had peeled off a dead stub. After dinner went up on the left bank of Cemetery river and found two nests of O. Swainsoni the first with four eggs built in a fallen tree top about 2 ft. high, the second with three eggs in a white cedar at least 15 ft. up. Found also a nest of D. maculosa with the 9 sitting on 4 fresh eggs. It was built in a fir sapling about 4 ft. up. Returned to the house I started out again and hunted the woods above Godwins field finding another nest of D. maculosa with the 9 sitting on 4 fresh eggs, Swainston got a nest of Pennatipes pubescens with 3 fresh eggs.
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364 MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Friday June 16 Vesta of S. Swainsoni '' D. maculosa '' S. ruficollis Clear and very hot. Mm. 82: Off after breakfast with Stone taking the Lyke path. First visited the nest of J. Swainsoni found Monday and found the ♀ sitting on 3 eggs. This nest was built in a fir about 8 ft. up. Next found a nest of D. coronata just completed, a most elegant affair, built very handsomely with feathers. The ♂ was singing about 100 yds. off. Next found a nest of D. maculosa built in a Spruce Dalin' about 4 ft up. The ♀ was sitting and allowed me to nearly touch her with my hand before flying off, when as is the almost invariable custom of all the birds here, she disappeared & did not show herself again. On the way back I struck through a cedar swamp and happened to spy a nest of J. Swainsoni in a white cedar 10 ft. up. The ♀ was sitting and I obtained a sufficiently good view of her to see the yellow ring around the eye and for one of my identifications, I mention this be on the set of 4 eggs is unlike any I've ever seen serious taken, the eggs nearly if not quite as large as Robin's and very hard and handsomely stitched and spotted. Stone also took an other back with eggs which had been in several days. On the P. M. visited a nest of J. Swainsoni found Monday near the Stone path and took it with a set of 4 eggs. This nest was built on the wrong side of a fallen Spruce some 6 ft. up. Bartlet took a nest of S. ruficollis
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Maine, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Saturday June 17 Birds on the lake. A new situation of nest of E Psalli et 365 D. maculosa. Part of Butte Penn. D. striata Ph. cruentus. D. striata Clear and warm with from S. W. wind. Started out on the lake with Harrington after breakfast taking dinner with us. Paddled up to B. point wherew landd and hunted th island but found nothing then sailed across to Brownes chank where we spent most of the forenoon. Then I found a nest of S Swainsoni about 16 ft up in a pi, th & sitting on 4 eggs. I also found a nearly complete nest about 10 ft. up in a Spruce whil from its general appearance I took to be that of E Psalli though the situation was certainly unique. Pson here in sailed over to the car behind
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366 MAINE, (L. Umbagog). 1876. Sunday June 18 Nest of Myiod. Canadensis - Nest of Sturnus Nutor. " " D. maculosa " " Gy. Carolin. Swallow & Mergansers. Clear and warm with heavy thowr in P.M. Started off in the boat with Bailey after breakfast and sailed with the wind blowing almost a gale on to Sargets Clearing when we landed and spent several hours hunting for nests but without finding anything of any value. I started a my large Oak swamp, spruce swamp, and found a cedar bird's nest just commenced. Empidonax flavi was abundant in thickets of water willow. Returning to the boat pretty thoroughly disgusted we set sail for home but when opposite Browns I spied a king bird's nest in a tree & saw in to examine. Found it contained three eggs, and as we had taken the trouble to land we concluded to hunt a little more when barely had we started into the woods than Bailey came across THE nest of My. Can. It was placed most beautifully, in a hole in a mossy bank the bush extending in about six inches and the entire nest & contents overhung by green roof of moss. She 2 was sitting on 4 fresh eggs & flew off when B. was within about 3 yds. of her. The locality was a little mossy glade in the midst of heavy woods and overshadowed by one or two large trees. Landing again nearer home we ate lunch and I took three nests found June 15th, 2 of D. Swainsoni on 2 & the other eggs, D. maculosa 4. Here I found a last years nest of Sturnus Nutor built exactly like the one of Myiodoctes just described. It had one dried egg which I think I can save. Hunting about in the woods awhile I found a nest of D. maculosa in a Yewer sapling about 7 ft up. She 2 was sitting on 4 fresh eggs. Bailey found an old bird's nest. While here we started a 2 loofhos, Creullatus from among the stubs and I was much surprised to see a 5th brood start off after her and quickly overtake her flying brother start off his flight as in world hard a track.
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MAINE, (L. Umbagog 1876. Monday June 19 nest of Dend. caeruleans(?) Song of Chry. Spinois maculosa Curviroz Am 367 Cloudy all day with heavy showers in P.M. Barley Stone & Harrington went up the lake on the boat as the captain gave a free excursion to all who chose to go. I started out alone after breakfast taking the stone path. Visited first a nest of D. maculosa which contained two eggs than day ago and found the 2 empty, although the number had not been increased. Found after a most laborious search three more nests, one of D. maculosa with 1egg. One of C. Swainsoni with 4 eggs. I hunted long and hard for the nest of D. caeruleus in a clearing when two males are constantly flying. Finally among the most impenetrable log heaps on the edge of the woods I found a last years nest most cunningly placed among gray Spanish moss and supported by the thongs of a fallen & now dead spruce tree, at the height of perhaps 8 ft. This nest was evidently a Dendroica and I am very sure that it was originally the handiwork of D. caeruleusens. One egg partly broken remained within. Chrysomitis, fenius is daily becoming more abundant. They are now exclusive in fairs and I heard the 2 sing repeatedly this morning. The song is strikingly like that of C. tristus but perfectly distinguishable and decidedly inferior. Heard Curviroza Am. flying this morning. The mosquitoes were almost unendurable in the woods, and rank weeds & raspberry bushes are increasing so that nest finding is becoming daily more difficult. Pmdin returned from Magsalloway this evening. He found birds less plenty than from him). Myloristice was rather comfor ther.
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368 MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) 1876. Tuesday June 20 Habits of Woodpeckers Geothlypis Philadelphica Warm with heavy thunder showers at intervals all day which kept the woods wet and prevented us from finding any nests. Stone - I got out in the boat a little while in the forenoon and shot a few birds. I heard a Geothlymis calling near the shore at Pleasant brook and paddling in I saw it fly from one stub to another, Landing I walked up in an open field to within 40 yds and shot it off the tree.. It fell wounded and while coming down uttered its usual laugh. Upon picking the bird up I found it a q in remarkably fine plumage. Dissection showed that it had not laid any eggs this season and moreover that the largest ovary was not greater in size than 10 10 shot. From observation I should judge that these birds were not breeding or even preparing to breed as yet. Their motions while climbing up the tree trunks are identical with those of the smaller Picidae. Their flight is different totally different and very peculiar. It is performed on an open plan with very many tiny flaps and the speed ordinarily maintained is not greater than that of a luron. The bird while on wing resembles a crow as nearly as any thing, but the colors are of course quite different. I have found only one nest made. After shooting this bird I heard a Geoth. Phil. singing behind Neely's barn and going in pursuit soon espied him sitting motionless on a tall stub at least 50 ft. above the ground. Singing at regular intervals. I had the good luck to mane him also. Did not get out with the Dr
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MAINE, (L. Umbagog) 1876. Wednesday June 21 Nests of Iugamurus Bar. Virgo Phil(?) D. tigrina
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370 MAINE, (L. Umbagog.) April 1876. Thursday June 22 Cooler but with heavy showers at natural dam hour or so all through the day. Stony Bailey left for home this morning. Last night while coming in on the Corduroy Road behind the barn I had an ugly fall striking on my right hip in the old place and this morning it was so painful that I did not dare to start at as usual so took my boat and paddled down the lake landing at one or two places. I visited first a nest of Gyraamns found three days ago with Bepp and to day the I was sitting on the same number so I took it. They surely I think lay more than that number in. Afterwards landed on the point where I found an old rock Sunday sitting down and empty nest and to day Pickles sat again on the nest allowing me to nearly touch her before moving through the nest on- tained but a single egg. Saw an immature Halictus which has been hanging round this part of the lake for some time, flung for a fish. He moved more deliberately than Androin and struck much less heavily. In the afternoon went out with Godwin & Warrington to try for a finchel but did not hear a bit. Saw a Picus pubescens launch- out repeatedly after a large species of Diptera. He can't one or two on wing but shoud much less adroitness than Sphagapicns. A little later saw another pubescens following the same employment. Sphygrapincs apparently gets his subsistence now altogether in that way and is nearly as good a marksman as any of the Gyramidae. The winter crew brings only little now, ended not at all upt ealy in the morning & at noon. Young Burials
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MAINE (L. Umbagog) 1876. Friday June 23 2nd nest of Colaptes. G. Philadelphia Return to Cambridge Clear and a fine cool day. Spent most of the forenoon gathering. In P.M. took a ride over along the Essex road with Herrifor who visited my Swallow flycatcher's nest for me but found it deserted and empty, though evidently a new nest. It was placed in a Darnus at the height of about 10 ft. Later in P.M. went out to my Colaptes' nest with Purdin and took from it 6 eggs. This is a second set by the same birds, which when the first laying was finished, dug the bush down a foot deeper & commenced laying again. Purdin took 3 sets of other flocks but he brought in nothing. Saturday June 24 Clear and almost cold at sunrise. Left the lake this morning for home driving down to Bethel with Purdin in an open buggy, took a nest of Y. Swainsoni on the edge of the road, with 4 eggs nearly hatched. This nest was the one that I found with 2 eggs June 13th. We heard 8 Mourning Warblers singing between the lake house and Poplar Tavern. Most of them were between the notch and the latter place, and in one spot two was singing together within a few rods of each other. At Bethel we fell in with Prof. Morse of Salem whom P. was acquainted with. He had been taking altitudes with the barometer in & aroud the notch. The following are some of his determinations. Sparkled Mt. 4,000 ft. Saddle-back Mt. 3,700 . Road in notch 1250ft. Lake Umbagog about 800 ft. We arrived in Boston all right at 5:15 P.M.
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372 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Aug 4 Am still closely confined by hummers occasioned by the unfortunate winging of the hik contracted at the lake. The weather thys early was excessively oppressive. The very worst of dog day heat continued through then or four weeks without cessation. About July 25 there was a change & since these we have experienced a delightful season - uniformly cool night with clear dry and most uncomfortably warm days. I heard no coltety at all, for obvious reasons since my return home. In my daily drives I have noticed but few facts worthy of record. Eistothons Stellaris is now in full joy and undoubtedly Picacethm is well under way with them. I hear them at all times of the day when I visit Block island meadows or the willow shaded road above Belmont. Hummers have become numerous within the last week and I don't see that many of them are Northern Bird. Nearly every night I hear night herons calling to each other as they circle over the Brighton marshes and on several occasions I have seen them lean fast. So owells join at dusk. A few are also brooding in what is left of the old pine swamp. Very few birds are singing now. The wood are well under way and crickets command singing several weeks since but have not reached their prime yet. This evening I saw three Bewirostra Can, while two over one place calling loudly as they always do when on wing
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Chordeilis propeta, Slinus norboracensis 373 Departure of D. aestiva 1876. Aug. 27 Still hors de combat. Have done literally nothing the past month but read and write especially the latter. The last three or four weeks have been signalized by especially delightful summer weather and little else at least in my humble sphere. Saw the last D. aestiva Aug. 24. Estinimus I spotted from our garden sometime before that date. Aug. 25- I saw two Serinus norboracensis in the Russells garden. Aug. 19th A single Chordeilis propeta was seen in the swamps by R. Dean. Aug 26th I saw a company of six or seven flying S. over Fresh pond and on the evening of the 27th another loose body of ten or a dozen passing over Arlington heights for the S. Thrushes are beginning to appear. Yester day afternoon (Aug 27th) I saw a ? Acipiter cospius near Brown's in Belmont and a Yaleo Sparvinius on the above named "heights". The latter glided past the bumpy with surprising velocity and lit in a wild cherry tree near the road. I hear the faint hush of warblers this moonlight nights but only occasionally, as the migrations have barely commenced among the Sylviesticidae as yet. The crickets are still in full blast but the Cicadas I have not heard of late. If their pae is seen it must have been an uncommonly short one this year. Shou birds can reported as very scare, but few good bag having been made. I have not find a spot for over a month. I heard orioles in one garden on the 26th.
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374 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Aug, 30 C.J Maynard found a flock of about a dozen Barn. discors in a little pond on shade St in Waltham opposite "the Gore place" and killed Two of them. He also shot a single Euminius the last of the season. Sept 6 This evening while at Maynards saw a number of Chordeiles propetua migrating S. and have seen them in greater or less abundance nearly every morning since Aug 25. Generally they pass over rather high up keeping along pretty steadily but several times I have seen them when it had become quite dusty gliding ghost like through the gardens & Streets of this city keeping close to the ground. Sept 7 Took a drive through Belmont this morning and shot two Y. sodus near the road. Saw two Iochilus echbi's probably the last, and at sundown this evening a large body of H, bistor flying over our places in Cambridge towards the S. Sept 9 Went up to Concord this P.M and drove down to Dan maedor with Gun to try Apthorp's little "Dash". The afternoon was cloudy with thick mist and I saw two W. horrorum and one W. humifrons flying low down over the meadows near a number of chimney Swifts. Of the latter I saw a great assemblage flying about on the town upon our return.
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Gallinago Wilsoni, B. Staurus hant? 375 Pandion Carolinus, Sterna Caspiae Thatura pelagea et Chordulus peptus 1876. Sept 11 Took a drive up to Maynard's this P.M. On the way back saw about a dozen chimney swifts flying about our Watertown. Driving in to Birds pond Stony who was with me threw a [illegible] into the rushes and its 'plash' was responded to immediately by the piping of several rails. We also saw them at intervals topping the reeds and lighting again, find the place seemed nearly alive with them. While we were sitting in the buggy a bittern rose and after passing us within a good range was making off over the tree tops when the report of a gun was heard and it fell broken ringed on the earth. A German who had fired the shot immediately came forward and picked it up. He had shot two Bun. discuss a few minutes before in one of the red-girt posts of the place and seemed overjoyed at his good luck. Yesterday (Sunday) P.M., while driving by Fresh Pond I saw a large fish hawk circling about Cambridge smooth, Very little change has as yet come on the face of nature, and the country still bears the green sumptuous aspect of August. Every night during last week I heard the lisp of migrating warblers and on fine moonlight evening the sky seemed threaded with them, Scarcely a minute elapsed without the faint call being heard. Purdi received a fine Sterna Caspica from Winingham on the 9th. It was la bird of this year. Jim shot 3 quipe on the 10th at Concord & [illegible] Seven others,
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376 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Sept. 13 Last Chaetura pelagica at Yscohilus, clobris Cloudy with light gust. Took the 2 P.M. train for Concord meeting Jim at Porter's. Arriving at 6. we drove down to the sniper meadow. I had my pointer "Smuggler" this being the first time that he had taken the field. Trumph. Battrick joined us on the meadow. Eight snips were started by the combined efforts of all three, and long bird of them I was shot, only two shots being missed. I walked a few hundred yards in all and killed two snips in two shots. The birds lay remarkably well and Jim's dog made a number of points. Leaving here we drove over to Walls when Jim hunted for woodcock while I remained in the buggy. He started his in a very short time and killed two of them. Smuggler did with either to his credit or discredit, W.B. snips 2 Sept. 14 Clear and a superb day! I started off with Jim's horse after breakfast and drove first down to Walls when I tied and commenced to hunt for two woodcock which Jim left the last night. Found them very near the road and worked the points on them for some time but without getting him to point. Finally started one of them in some rather want, birds shot at it, as I thought without effect but following on in the direction in which it flew, Smuggler suddenly came down handsonly on a stiff point And I found the woodcock lying dead a few feet in front of his nose. After this drove down to Lomestad and came back by Sandy pond shooting a few ins. J Betos Penns from the buggy & missing another. Saw a Woodcock, 1 high Chaetura pelagica. I found Chaetura plega the last W. B.
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Opornis agilis on Concord 377 ASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Tuesday Sept. 19 Came down from Concord Friday Sept. 11th to make preparations for a longe hunt then. This afternoon drove up Concord in my bussy taking Smuggle again and leaving my trunk to be sent up by Express. Arrived in the town at 6.30 P.M. meeting Jim on his way from the depot and I was soon quartered comfortably in his room in the court house. 20 Cloudy all day with occasional drizling rain. Drove down to Halls in the forenoon and hunted on a good deal of ground, meeting W. Buttrick near the turnpike, and hunting in company with him. His dog put up four woodcock in all of which I killed one that had been flown across the road and which I started away rather thick briches. Smuggle had no chance to point anything. He troubles me chiefly by his timidity in the cover as it is almost impossible to get him to range more than a few yards away from me. Woodcock 1 21 Cloudy with frequent rains, in spite of which however I drove down to Halls in the forenoon) and killed a very fine large cock, starting two in all. The one shot I first started among briches & hazel and drove it down into a swamp when I put it up again and by a very hard snap shot killed it. Saw and shot at an Opornis agilis. It rose from the ground among Oak aspens on a dry hillside Woodcock 1
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Nisus Batarin, D. caerulescens, D. maculosa Paula Am. 378 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Sept. 22 Clear and a lovely day. I called at the French's last evening and made an appointment with Dan, to take a tramp together to day. So at 8 A.M. I drove over to his house and found him waiting for me. He drove directly down to Waltham and tying my horse spent three hours tramping through the surrounding woods. I must have walked over two miles which encourages me to hope that my hip is at last recovered though it pained me somewhat afterwards. He started only one game bird, a crow which "Smuggler" pointed twice in good style but which rose just out of gun range each time. The dog worked very handsomely for a pup of his age, ranging quite freely. I started the Caperonis in the same place to a yard when I found it yesterday and this time I killed it. It was as usual excessively fat. I also took Nisus Solitarius, Nyctolitta varia & y. y. and D. caerulescens. The woods were literally filled with small birds, mostly D. striata. Spent the P.M. in making up skins. Saw a single D. maculosa in full pl. Sept. 23 Clear and a lovely day. Starting off in my buggy at 9 A.M. I drove Bell. Buttrick down to Lincoln when I left him to hunt back. Striking into a wood path from the Walden road I drove through it bringing into the Sandy Pond road. Shot three D. striata species, two of them for specimens. Saw another O. jolus among bricks on a dry hill top and shot at it but missed. Saw a cuckoo, Sp. subterminalis. Spent the P.M. writing. Saw Paula Am. too.
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1876. MASS. (Middlesex Co.) Monday Sept. 27 Clear but windy and cool, I drove down to Cambridge with Jim on the afternoon of the 24th [Sunday] and stopped over night coming up to Concord Monday morning. Tuesday [Sept. 27/ it rained in torrents so that I did not get out at all. This morning Dan and I started down river in my new boat which I purchased yesterday of James Harley for $14. Taking lunch we spent the whole day going down as far as Carlisle bridge. On the way down I shot a greebe (P. podiceps) paddling up to it rather easily, I was in the ordinary fall plumage but I am very sure that it was adult as the testichs were very large (O) for a bird of the year. Going ashore below the bridge we started a grouse several times and I fired one shot at it. Dash heard strong signs that he scented its track but did not point. Beat the drup meadow pretty thoroughly but saw not a bird of any kind. On the way back went into a little piece of corn below Shute's bridge and put up a grouse twice firing three times at him & killing the last shot. Saw two Bireus Bird, during the day one of them an adult, &. Saw also a number of Har. Rufus, some Mimus Car. and An Accipiter fuscus. The maples near the river are perfectly gorgeous with brilliant coloring though those on the higher land had not turned much yet. The river meadows were very barren of bird life not even Sparrows being abundant. In the evening took a moonlight ride with Jim.
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Opornis agilis 380 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) Thursday Sept. 28 Clear and a fine day with high wind. Off after breakfast with Dan, driving "Nap North." Just after passing Jos. Smiths a grous rose from an open field adjoining the road and flew into a bush on the roadside. As the horse approached it again it started again and keeping down the road a few rods turned sharply into the yard of a farm house and actually alighted on the top sail of an old bay rigging that was standing in front of the farmers door. As we approached it a third time hown it made across the road and alighted in a pine grove. Leaving the horse tied in the road we started after it but before we came to the place when we had made it down I flushed a fine large boy of quail from among the underbrush of huckleberry bushes. I let them go without shooting and a few rods further one put up the grouse and shot at it cutting out feathers, thinking it a good opportunity to break in "Dosh" I followed the quail about for over an hour allowing many fine shots at them, but finally when they had commenced to point I resolved to shoot one or two and after missing two single shots I made a double shot among the pines killing two Sep birds over a steady Point from Dosh. Dan also fired once and missed. Returning to the buggy we drew up to Hochgood's fields where "Nap" made a doubtful point on a woodcock which I killed as it rose. Here we also started a boy of quail which was not large than long sparrows. Got back to dinner, skinned the grebe'd woodcock in P.M.
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Return of D. Coroneta at Berthia Aug 381 Serinus Auroraphilus last seen Fetopistus migratorius MASS. (Middlesex Co.) Friday Sept. 29 Clear and warm with S.W. wind. Off after breakfast alone this time. Drove up to the Parker lot when I tied & sat for game but started nothing whatsoever, So returned to the buggy and drove up to Ferris lane where I again tied the horse. Then I hunted for some time without starting anything but finally got up a grouse and shooting at it took out lots of feathers but failed to stop or at least could not find it. Shortly after "Dash" put up a woodcock that was lying under a brick bush on the very summit of a bar hill. He flushed out of range but I marked him down and starting him again killed him. Keeping across through the briches nearly to Hutchinson's beer I flushed two more grouse shooting at both & killing one which Dash found and retrieved. Returning to my buggy I started for Concord getting back at 12 M. Saw Bar. Rufus 1, Pile erythropt. number Say, fusca numbers. Arrivals were dead Coroneta in numbers & Berthia Am. 1. Saw the last Serinus auroraphilus. Saturday Sept. 30 Clear in A.M. cloudy with occasional squalls in the afternoon. In forenoon drove down to the Wicked woods when I shot a Virio Solitarius from the buggy. It was a young & and was buzzing at intervals. In P.M. drove down to Cambridge Jim accompanying own as far as Waltham. On the edge of Walden woods saw a wild pigeon in the road which was so tame as to walk along the horses to fly or it began flying.
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382 1876 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) Monday Oct. 2 Helminthophaga celata, 2 y.y., Concord Mass. Arrivals: D. palmarum anad., B. atrapa et calendulae ann., Zon. albicollis gen. or 1 D. fluvica jact giving way to D. communis Hel. suffiequilla, D. virgata at Cambridge at morning. Clear and a most lovely day. Driven up to Concord last night bringing Smuffy with me. This morning started off with Jim's horse and drove down to "Holly" where I tied. Beat over most of the woods'k ground but failed to start any birds though Smuffy worked with considerable courage & persistence. Got up two grouse one of which I fired a long shot at. Noticing numbers of small birds I next went to work to shoot a few and in the course of an hour or so took 8 specimens: 2 D. palmarum, 1 D. virgatus, D. cristata & 1 Hel. suffiequilla (full pl.). I was about giving it up and turning towards home when I noticed two small warblers in a little company of D. virens which were feeding among some low briars. After watching them a moment I became convinced that they were bird-netting new to me and was about to shoot when both entered some thick scrub oaks & I lost them for a time. I shot time after this I saw what I took to be one of them fly out into the briars again and quickly approaching it, shot, and to my great delight picked up a fine specimen of Hel. celata in full plumage. Afterwards searched for the other but in vain. Whether it was the same or not I am unable to say but both looked alike when I first observed them. Spent the P.M. killing my birds. Arrivals were Hel. celata, D. palmarum, per, B. atrapa annul., Zon. albicollis gen. or. Still remaining, I noted Parula Ann!, D. marianae, D. caerulescens per., D. fluvica getting poor, Pipit syrphoth, Hirundo Can.
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Arrival of T. Pallasi Summer red. & early migrants still with us. 383 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Thursday Oct. 4 Clear and warm with S. W. wind. Did not go out yesterday at all though the weather was very fine. This morning started off alone and drove down to Halls when I went through the woodcock ground hastily without starting any birds! Had the same poor access at "Sound Hill" and "the School house place" but on the way home I tried the Alder corner in front of Halls and put up a partridge which lit on a juniper bush within a few yards of me. I took fair aim at it as it sat on the limb but most unaccountably missed it. Following it up, "Smuggler" ran into it and drove it by me when I killed it. After dinner had my horn harnessed again drove down the Turnpike to Halls this time leaving my dog at home and taking Pond collecting charges. Shot 12 birds, the best D. caulescens 2 & D. palmarum 1; V. H. ruficapilla 1 The woods were very still not a breath of air stirring. Far and near could be heard rustling of leaves & occasionally the light pat of a dropping acorn. I ascertained that most of the former noises were occasioned by chipmunks which seemed to be out in force. Small birds were excessively numerous. I saw D. caulescens 2 & 19. D. striata a few, D. palmarum a few Parula Am. 1; Hel. ruficapilla 1; Zon. albist. numbers; Hkr. Rufus several; S. flavus Carolinensis Several. Mt. palmarius a number in old weed field. Spiz. pusilla numbers. Only givinel I saw T. pallasi in mus.
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384 1876 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) Sat. Oct. 7 Clear and cool with high wind Thursday it rained all day and I did not get out at all. Friday dark with frequent showers up to 1 P.M. when it cleared up. In P.M. went up the Assabet river in Richardson's "birch" taking Miss Fuller & Miss Hettell, saw a pair of Wild pigeons, an Accipitulae?, several Sturnus noveboracensis, Two Bergheden and after sundown an immense number of bats.) This morning I started off as usual in my buggy driving down to "Halls". Hunted very carefully for woodcock but could not start a feather, saw large numbers of small birds including Pipilos, Mimus Car., Vireo Sol. et olivaceus, Mel. fusca-pilla, D. maculosa, D. caeruleus & 9 and what surprised me somewhat a fine Carduus aliceps at which I had a good sight, got back at 11 without any thing to show for my forenoon work. Sunday Oct. 8 Clear and a lovely day. In A. M. went up to see Nesbitt, In P.M. drove up to Concord arriving at 6 P.M. Had a very pleasant drive as the country especially at sunset was at its loveliest. Near the edge of the Sandy Pond woods I passed a pigeon hawk which was sitting on the topmost dead branch of a large chestnut tree. It was apparently h & being a very large individual.
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Pass. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Monday Oct. 9 Clear, cold and windy. The mercury fell below the freezing point last night. Started off immediately after breakfast in my buggy with M. Buttrick and drove down to "Hall" when we tied and commenced beating for woodcock. In the Southern side we found not a bird, but in front of Hall's house Laurie "roaded" a woodcock for some distance among the bricks & as it rose I shot and killed it. Afterwards in the thick alders B.'s dog started another cock while I killed as it flew by me at about 10yds. I also find a third shot at a groan and missed it. Saw Croglodytes hyemalis for the first time this fall. B. killed a single woodcock after I left him. Tuesday Oct. 10 Clear and cool with rather high wind. Off after breakfast tying my horn in the lane near the turnpike as usual. Walked all over Hall's, starting them woodcock and killing each at the first rise and with the first barrel. Laurie failed to point any of them but behaved very handsomely on a groan which however I did not get a shot at. He has turned out a very fine stylish ranger, carrying his head high and going at a trotting gallop. Saw for the last time War. Rufus 1; Parula Am 1; Pipilo erythroph. 1; a Minus Cardinatus 1. D. palmarum was abundant anywhere in the fields when they seemed to be restricted at this season.
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386 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Wednesday Oct. 11 Clear with very cold wind. Spent the forenoon in my room stuffing birds. Jim came up at 1 P.M. and we started off together immediately after dinner driving up to "Garra's" where we beat for an hour or more and started on woodcock & grouse neither of which was shot at. Next drove around to Robbins Mills when Jim killed a woodcock & a grouse and I written a single grouse. This last bird I shot under rather irregular conditions. Loaman (read) on an evidently strong scent for some distance and finally pointed staunchly. As I came up behind him a grouse rose some 30 yds. ahead and flitting up a few yds dropped again to the ground like a rail's commenced running where I shot it on the ground. Upon picking it up I found it a mere skeleton though six feet plumage. No external mark of injury could be found upon it anywhere. Thursday Oct. 12 Clear and very cold, ice forming to the thickness of window glass & the ground freezing quite hard. Started off after breakfast with J. Buttrick and drove down to Hall's fully expecting to start a lot of woodcock but we were completely disappointed. I hunted several hours in vain finding nothing but a grouse which "Loaman" pointed in fine style where I missed a rather hard shot. After I had got tired out however & returned to
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Anthony Ludicramus 387 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (Oct. 12.) The buggy B. Started then woodcock I bagged two of them. Saw four pintails all along old flow walls. After dinner I got Richardson's bick canoe and taking Miss Fuller & Miss Shettell started up the Concord river and paddled so far up as Fairhaven bay. Returning to the foot of the hill I walked up to the cliffs with Miss F. The afternoon was very lovely and the view from the cliffs superb. On the way back saw an immense flock of tit larks flying over the meadows. Saw also a bittern, two Ardea herodias, a Pandion, and just at sunset a snipe which rose near the river bank and flew over the fence. Friday Oct. 13 Clear and a warm lovely day. Accepted an invitation to a picnic party on the river and starting at 12 M. with Miss Fuller we joined the others at "the Hemlocks" where we had dinner. Came back in the afternoon getting home at 4. Getting my horse harnessed I drove over to the bridge below Fairhaven bay, and returned in time to meet the 5.20 train at Concord expecting to get Jim & take a short drive but found he had not come up, so came back to the stable. Saw a bittern sitting within a few yards of the road near Mrs Hubbad's farm. It sat as usual with its bill pointing up nearly perpendicular into the air.
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388 MASS (Middlesex Co.) 1876 Saturday Oct. 14 Winter weather Clear and warm in the morning, Cloudy with light rain in P.M. Rising temperature up to 11 P.M. Spent the N.M. in my room writing etc. In P.M. drove down to Cambridge. Sunday Oct. 15 To the intense surprise of everybody the morning broke upon a wintry scene. Snow falling fast & the ground covered with the spotless though dreary pall of winter. By 8 A.M. the storm ceased and the clouds cleared away before a brisk & chill N.W. wind. About 2 inches of snow covered the ground & the mercury remained as near the freezing point during the day that but little of it melted. Starting for Concord at about 4 P.M. I drove up over the Sandy Pond road. The beauty of the scenery surpassed anything that I have ever witnessed before. The snow coming as it did in a moist condition adhered closely to every twig and leaf, and the weather afterwards becoming remaining cold through the day very little within shook or melted off. As I entered the Lincoln woods that hour was just setting and the ruddy glow cast over everything by its slanting beams enhanced the contrasts that had been enchantingly beautiful & furnished a transient spectacle almost too lovely for description. The autumn leaves in the full maturity of their gorgeous splendor delicately set off by the pure frosty
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Heavy flight of woodcock 389 1876 (Oct. 15) of Boston white and lighted up to the fullest extent by the rosy light of the sinking sun more resplendent with all conceivable tints and colorings. When feathery furies were intermingled, the contrast reached their climax and not less beautiful when rocky hillides, the graceful outlines of the ledges showing in strong bas-relief amidst their frames of russet scrub oaks and delicate birch saplings. But the beauty of light soon faded from the west and as I crossed the level open country to the eastward of the town the twilight revealed a dull dreary aspect of snow covered fields and muddy roads too suggestion of chilly March winds to be pleasant. Both horses were powdered all over with the snow which shook down upon their backs from the over-arching frost laden trees that well might closed the narrow road through the Lincoln woods. Monday Oct. 16 Clear and cold though the weather mod- erated so much by noon that all the snow disappeared. Started immediately after breakfast with W. Bullick & drove down to "Halls" when I left my horse. In Hall's proper are hunted about 3 hours & shot up seven woodcock of which B. killed two. I find their shots & bagged not a feather. After leaving B. however I
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390 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. [Oct. 16] Wood Duck Archibuteo lagopus flushed two wood ducks from an old ject hole and killed the drake, cutting a cloud of feathers from the duck as he went off by charge of No. 12 being too fine to reach his life. Got back to the house at 12. B. kept on down to the School House piece and flushed six more cock making 13 in all. The country must have been full of troops to day. Small birds of all kinds were scarce to day. A few whirring half- frozen look red polls (D. palmarum) with a rather more numerous sprinkling of D. coronata were about all that I observed which were worthy of note. John Melvin started for the Cape this P.M. Tuesday Oct. 17 Last night clear and cool though without frost. Today cloudy with occasional sprinkling in forenoon beautifully clear & pleasant in P.M. Started immediately after breakfast and drove down to Balls with Bettink. Beat the ground one carefully but got up only one woodcock which B. missed. Afterwards I got a long shot at an Archibuteo lagopus and broke his wing. He was very fierce and showed dauntless courage but a vigorous compression of the lungs speedily ended his existence. Saw very few small birds except sparrows all of which still remain in abundance. The leaves in the marshes are now all down but on the upland the trees are still thickly clothed & the coloring brilliant. On th
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Pipilo erythrophthalmus 391 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (Oct. 17) P.M. drove up to Fairhaven cliffs with Mr Hettell and spent several hours on the sheltered side of the ledge looking down over the beautiful scenery. Several shanks came circling about below us among others a Pheasant and an Archibates lagopus, the latter poising motionless breathing the wind without effort, as is the habit of the species. Wednesday Oct. 18 Clear and a lovely day with rather high wind. Off after breakfast as usual driving up North. Mounted about an hour and got so disgusted with my non- success in finding game and the poor working of my pointer (Smuggler has not pointed to single bird this week) that I gave up the search and returned to town by a circuitous route. Saw a single Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Saw an immense flock of crows flying S. the first migrating birds that I have noticed as yet. Thursday Oct. 19 Clear, perfectly still & nearly as warm as Summer. Got off at about 8 A.M. and calling for H. Burttrick drove down to Halls when we tied the horses fast a short trim for woodcock but without moving anything. Kept drove over to the Virginia road" again now beat for guail but failed to find any. Found a woodcock from among some scrub oak that was barely three high. Both fired & missed him at long range.
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Molothrus pecoris 392 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (Oct. 19) Jm th P M took a drive over through the Estabrook road with the young ladies going by their invitation in a stable team. Jim & H Buttrick came back from the Cape to day. They shot Tuesday & Wednesday and bagged 25 quail & 4 grouse. The first day they started 5 birds, the second 3 do, Friday Oct. 20 Clear with very hazy atmosphere, very warm for the season. Did not go out at all to day. Im P M had the horses harnessed and took a short drive getting abroad to "Hairy Land" pond at Market. Saw a large flock of Molothrus pecoris sitting among along a ferler by the road side. Some of the males had still considerable patches of brownish slate in their plumage. Saturday Oct. 21 Cloudy and warm. Driv down to Lamb, in the forenoon getting to the horse bydrin time. Sunday Oct. 22 Cloudy with thick fog. Drove up to Concord in P M getting thm by 6 PM. About three miles outside the town a small boy of quail flew on the road past the horse's head and pitched down all together among some low alders. They had widely flown for from thin winged and although I have always known that they followed this method still I was now the less pleased to actually witness the procedure.
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Monday Oct. 23 Cloudy with drizzling rain, all day did not go out at all but spent the time in reading & writing letters. Tuesday Oct. 24 Cloudy with frequent rain in A.M. Cleared off last noon and very pleasant in P.M. Had Jim's horse harnessed directly after dinner and took a long drive with Miss Fuller Went first to Walden pond and visited Thoreau's abiding place, thence to Fairhaven cliffs where we remained till sunset, talking and looking out over the glorious landscape. The atmosphere cleared of all haze by the recent rain) revealed distant objects with unusual distinctness, and just before sunset the wind died away completely and the whole lovely scene lay bathed in [crossed out] calm peaceful quiet. So perfectly hushed were all sounds of ordinary prevalence, that the chuck of a chipmunk came distinctly to the ear from the opposite side of the valley below and even the rustling of leaves stirred by his busy ramblings, was faintly audible. Voices of men engaged in collecting some scattered cattle in a pasture across the river and nearly a mile distant, were plainly heard and some few words even distinguished, though they talked in tones not louder than ours. Small Diptera flying over the river were visible at nearly half a miles'
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394 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. (Oct. 24) Zon. leucopterys Archibates lasotus. distance but this of course only when the glaring sunbeams lighted up their [illegible] wings. I noticed occasionally also small birds passing across the path of the light in the same manner when at such distances that they became [illegible] invisible directly they crossed the illumined way, just as of a summer evening moths appear and disappear in the stream of light shed through windows or about the street gas lamps. Noticed several birds worthy mention among these a fine Zon leucopterys in adult plumage. It was sitting on a maple sapling by the roadside & as I drove slowly past I had a good view of it. At the cliff, & a very large Archibates lasotus sailed past us within 80 yds. and without a single motion of the wings glided off across Fairhaven until lost to sight. Saw also in Walden woods a fine gron which stalked proudly across the wood path through which we were driving. Thursday Oct. 25 Clear and warm with S. W. wind. Off directly after breakfast driving up through the "Colleagrove" to Joe Smiths where I tied & left the horse. Had only just entered the woods when "Rance" commenced to "bass" and following closely his careful movements two grouse rose wild and a third which set mained behind and lay well to the dog
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Spring monticola gen. no. 395 1876. (Oct. 25) gave me a rather hard shot which I killed in good style. Following up the remaining two I killed one of them over a steady point, but although the dog worked finely on the third I pointed him then or four times I failed to get a shot. Striking across from here to the line of trees behind Smith's barn I started five more grouse I killed two of them. The dog worked magnificently and is the finest animal on this species of game that I ever shot at. During the forenoon I find 8 shots & bronght to bas 4 birds, Ames pointed every bird started except one. Thursday Oct. 26 Clear with rather strong S. W. wind. Off after breakfast driving up to Smith's. Hunted over all the ground which I investigated yesterday and a good deal more besides. Started 6 grouse & a woodcock. Shot six times and bagged only one grouse, the first one that I fired at. "Ames" if possible outdid yesterday's performance and pointed every bird which was started. Drew back in time for dinner. On P. M. rowed my boat up to the French landing and had it put up for the winter in their barn. The beans are now all off in the woods and the chaves for getting shot, consequently improved. A few asters still bloom in sheltered places but otherwise the landscape is fast loosing its summer & autumnal decoraments.
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396 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Friday Oct, 27 Senecura Can. &. trichas Var. Rufus. By. caland General remarks on Bird arrivals etc Clear with cold N. wind. Off after breakfast driving first to the Park lot where I Junt up @ woodcock and missed a good shot at him. Next struck in at Melvin's run and made some remarkab good shooting (for me) killing 3 groun and a turth dove in 4 Consecutin shots. Hanna again worked wonderfully well pointing very groun started (Four others got off unsot at). He however ran on disgracefully as the woodcock, showing no signs of the presence of scent though the bird lay unusually close. The turtle dove now cold among some feathered bishes and startd me at long range going down wind. It was a young & in imperfect plumage, and falling through a birh tree was wrinkled as a specimen by the dislodgment of most of the feathers on our side of the breast. So tender was the skin that it was in several places ripped off in great patches by the friction against the twigs. Saw a Virgin & Geothlypis trichas and one Char. Rufus, Junecos & Lon. albicollis were everywhere in numerous flocks. Pa. Jilaca is also abundant. The first one was shot by Mr. Fox Oct. 14. Saw a single Var. hyemalis & have noticed one or anon every day lately, Birus cyaneas I also see daily. Saw one each of Pygulus calandula and Dend. galmarum, S. coronata is getting here. Many flocks of crow migrating this morning.
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1876. Saturday Oct. 26 Leave Concord Abundance of S. niva, P. villosus & M. erythra. Clear and cold. Drove down to Cambridge in the forenoon taking with me all my effects and I am obliged to bid good bye to Concord for this reason. Saw no birds of any interest on the way. Monday Nov. 6 Arrived in Cambridge last Saturday morning from Phila when I spent a well "doing" the Centennial. Saw almost no birds during the trip and certainly none of interest, Was however rather pleased one morning to see a fine large black squirrel running across an open field with long graceful bounds. Upon reaching home Saturday I found that the event of the week had been as perfect flood of snowy owls from the N. (Vide Bull N.O.C. Jan. 1877) A number of red headed woodpeckers have also been taken within the last two weeks; about six altogether in Watertown & Newton & all in immature plumage. Pica's villosus is also said to be closely common. I saw one B. climbing the trunk of one of our elm trees yesterday, starting off at 3.30 this P.M. I drove up to Cotton's me and beating a short distance for quail "Painter" found a small boy in fine style. I missed a rather long double as they rose and afterwards killed the only single bird that I could find
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398 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876 Thursday Nov. 9 Anthus hodovie, Colluris boralis Cloudy with occasional rains. In P.M. Started off with both "Laurels" & "Smuggler" and tramped up through the swamps as far as Block i. when I met Bobt. Nesbitt with his pointer "Siren". On the beech knol we found a man trampin about for a body of guail which he had beaten down, and from which he had bagged them birds. Going to work with the dogs we Soon found some eight or nine of them which had run together out in the meadow and as they got up b4r "Siren", Rob. & I fired togther killing one of them. Following them into the corn we Started a number and made some miserably poor shooting at them, Bob getting only one bird. As we left the swamp at dusk, "Laurels" running on ahead came to a fine point in the open meadow and as I stepped by him a guail rose, which I shot, this birds making 3 bagged altogether, 'Saw a flock of S. magna & I started a Snipe Snail ? Saturday Nov. 11 Clear at sunris but clouded up soon afte and rained violently by night. The past week it has rained every day more or less, and in most cases more. The whole country is fair, soaked. Went off after breakfast letting "Laurels". Stride fast for the Block i bay but could not find tem & drove him on the hill & them also was unsuccessful. Saw a small flock of Anthus hodovie on the meadow also a Colluris boralis
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ASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Thursday Nov. 16 Singular behavior of Cy. cristata Least Paserilla iliaca, N. Audubari 399 A lovely day and especially welcome after the long period of rain which we had had. Spent the forenoon on "the farm" looking for small birds but saw nothing of especial interest. Shot four or five Specimens all common. Saw Yumus migratorius in small flocks; boleops auratus, a few; Quince hyacintis on flock; Pas. iliaca a single bird, the last of the season; Regulus fatrapa very abundant! Cathia lin. for a few, and Chry. tristis. A large flock of Cy. cristata acted in a remarkable manner. About a dozen or fifteen now sitting in a clump of low alders along a brook and at some distance from the woods. As I came up I noticed first that none of them moved but all sat perfectly motionless in the warm rays of the sun. Finally I approached within ten yards of them and walk in full view and after looking at them a few moments I fired four quick charges at them killing two before any of them would move. Finally they commenced screaming at me and one imitated the whistle of Bluejay, in vociferous accents. At length the flock seemed to take a sudden alarm and flew off hostile to the nearest woods scattering as they went. I never saw anything like it before, and can only account by the supposition that they are young birds who are unused to men. They are very abundant just now.
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Meridian alle 400 MAGE (Middlesex Co.) Monday Nov.20 The heaviest Storm of the season. The wind blew a perfect gale from the N.E. all day prostrating telegraph lines and shakley buildings, and doing much damage among the shippin. Rain fell in torrents from daylight till well into the ascending night and everything was flooded. In fact this Storm was the exact counterpart of that of Nov. 187, and remembering thereof that occasion we of course expected another "visit from Meridian alle" so we were an entirely disappointed. On the 21st 22nd and 23rd, a few specimens were seen and one or two shot. I heard from flock seen in Mystic river by a farmer who for some reason was unable to get at them. I did not hear of any far inland and judge that they are better enabled to weather the Storm at sea than on the former occasions, Nov.28 Last night it thundered for an hour or two and the sun rose clear this morning in a glorious scene. I had made an engagment with Jess Warren so got off at about 5.00 and drove one to Newton to meet him. Finding him all ready to start we set out out and took our way towards the Wyman place. Entering the woods we found them perfectly lovely, with straws dripping of spotted white. The snow came mostly but as only about 2 inches fell, the branches were not so heavily loaded as is usual and the effect I think was consequently even
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Quail Shooting Winter Scene Flock of Colthurio Thrushes 401 1876. Nov. 28 Every blade of grass was, upon fun. Every twig was delicately draped with the powdery substance and every blade of green torn from the slight wind which had arisen. shaking caused the trees to wave to & fro gently Throwing flickering Shadows everywhere on the spots solfer beneath, The woods were rich with this wintry foliage but not luxuriant, & the effect was more that of the first unfolding of the leaves in May than of the heavy masses of foliage from days which almost enshroud the landscape in July. As we forced our way through the thickets the snow shook down upon us in showers, loading our hat rims & shoulders & lightly down on backs, Thus our fairly scant enjoyment. Upon first striking the quail ground Warren started a covey of 8 birds from an open field and then were all that we found during the day. I fired three shots at them & killed two. We also started them again at which I fired an equal number of times but without avail. Found the tracks of another busy of quail but could not start the birds. A boy runs over a surprising amount of country in the course of a morning. "Hanna" worked fine as usual and made a number of five points. Gray told me the other day of a flock of Thrushes, (Sorchis) that he saw in Nov. Some three years back. About 25 were collected together in a small orchard and the whole body kept moving along from tree to tree.
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"Quail Shooting. Brachyotus Cassini Attack, and Lin duck decoy" Nejta Scandinica in confinement Nov. 30 Clear and rather cold. Set off with Eustis at 8.30 A.M. and drove up to Shade St., where I got my horse put up in a farm. Hunted all day for game but up to 3 P.M. Started nothing excepting a pair of very wild grouse. About that time Eustis stumbled upon a bevy of about 15 quail which had collected into a my for the night as witnessed by the marks of their bodies in the snow. We chased them about for some time but found them so exceedingly wild that we got but few good shots. I killed 2 of them (E. fired at one and my probably did the killing) and a grouse. Lawrence was very wild in his ranging but pointed shortly, very bird as usual. Saw one Coloptes and lots of jays. Mr. Joyer told me the other day that while lying in his booth at night watching for black ducks a Brachyotus Cassini made a dash for his lin duck decoy when he shot it. He says he has had this happen several times. While down in Dock St. Boston I went up to see them his N. nivea which were kept in a loft. They sat on the floor in rather a crouching attitude. Walked with comparative ease & very rapidly took long sliding steps; uttered a sort of twittering noise when approached but not more rarely a loud "brong" almost like the snort of a startled horse. The three about the room revolving with dangling legs hanging down. Specimens of this bird have nearly stopped coming into town.
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Shooting trip to Marston's Mills 403 Winter haunt of the Snipe Clear Still & a lovely day. Came down on the Cape last night leaving Boston by the 4 P.M. train. Arrived at Capt. Baxter's at 7.45 and found all well. Brought my pointer "Smuggler" along as I wish to give him a thorough trial on game. Started out this morning after breakfast with Capt. B. A spent the forenoon hunting the woods & fields & of his farm. Started 7 guns and fired nine shots at them getting to only one bird. They lay remarkably well & Carter's dog "Cap" made some fine points on them but I shot watchd. In P.M. started off again this time Westward. Cap found I pointed a berv of quail up the valley. I fired two barrels as they rose & B. one. Three birds shot down. Could not find the bry again). Striking the brook below "Mud pond I waded down its channel to [illegible] being desirous to investigate the snipe there as Capt. B. hes always assured me that callings go on them regularly & in numbers. The bed of the brier (or rather brook for it averages not wider than 10 ft) is good wading as the bottom is hard & gravelly & the water uniformly about 10 inch deep. It consists of gravelly shallows when the current runs rapidly and at the foot of each still dark pools two feet or more in depth, It was formerly a famous fishing ground for sea trout. This brook winds through the centre of one of the most tangled swamps I have ever entered. Beside maple & alder trees averaging 15 to 20 ft
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404 Marston's Mills, MASS. 1876. (Dec. 5) last woodcock of the season) D. coronata abundant on Copi boat. in sight an complete, festooned with hill briar and wild grape vines. Only by the pathway of the brook can it be penetrated, or in many places the grape vines are swung across that so thickly that it is very hard to get through them. All the way down little springy bushes empty into the brook after spreading about through the cove on either side. When some fresh and many of them won't lay as green as a June meadow. When the birds say & fled a great part of the time though they go down on the best marshes a good deal at night to feed on the flats exposed by the tide, I started soon in all this afternoon and shot down them only one of which however my dog found but that one he pointed dead in good style. They acted differently from any birds that I ever saw. As I waded down the brook they would rise with a many whirring &fluttering wings and toppling the trees like woodcock, fly off & sit down or up the brook. Others would start from the bank and flit in superb silence low over the brook for fifteen yards or more & light again. In this way I started on some five or six times before I got a shot, always driving him ahead of me. Only on that I flushed in a little meadow plus & scared it in the usual style. Capt. B. affirms that he saw a woodcock him in January. & I examined a Ralls Oriskans which he shot Nov. 30th, 1872 in the place. Saw upwards of 50 Bend coronata a M. melodia a large flock of S. magna, a flock of Os! Alpestis. I have no doubt that D. coronates another thousand members.
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Merrimac Mills, Mass. 1876 Tuesday Dec. 6 Trip to 'Fair Mile' Pond 405 Clear & still but cold. Started off after breakfast & Miss Fannie drove us over to "Fair mile" pond Hunted all day but up to sundown had seen nothings but 2 grouse & had neither of us fired a shot. Saw signs of quail in the clearing but could not find them. Walked out through the woods in the afternoon & while silently wending our way along a wood path I heard a crackling of sticks in the brush & upon making some little noise myself, a deer started within 30 yds. of us and went off with long leaps through the woods although the thickness of the brush prevented our getting even a sight at it we both heard its bounds with perfect distinctness, coming out at the "town house" about sunset, Capt. found & pointed a small boy of quail among the weeds and as they rose wreath got down on but min-a summer, got off though I nearly caught him over. My pointer stood well on him when he first hid. I shot a Doreetes gramious in a rye field. It was in company with several M. melodia. Dorneta was abundant everywhere in large flocks. Colapts is much more abundant here than in Mass, and associates a good deal with S. megra feeding with them on the ground. Cyanura cristata is also very abundant in the woods. Spizella not is moderately common. Comes close off with its flock. Ochatus Regulus Satropa formed in large companies anywhere among the primers. Mel. melodia dempts to be more numerous than in Mass. Saw a high Buteo Bonchi.
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406 1876. Thursday Dec. 7 A.M. Cloudy. P.M. clear and warm with S. wind Started off at 10 o'clock. Capt. B. drove me to the head of the river where I commenced again & hunted down for birds. Started 8 birds fired four shots killed 2 mice & found 1 that I killed yesterday & could not then find. Also shot an A. hyemalis which was hopping about under the banks of the brook. In P.M. went East with the Capt. His dog found & pointed a small boy of quail in the open and as they rose I took a cloud of feathers from my first bird & with the bend barrel killed the largest cock quail that I ever shot. He weighed exactly 8 2/16 oz. A. Coronata still abundant especially so in the thickets along the river when I suspect they retire in lower weather. Friday Dec. 8 Clear and sunny. After breakfast hunted an hour or two hunting grouse in the woods blind Hucklebys. Shot 3 times but did not bag anything. Bossgler made a good point at one bird. At about 10 A.M. Capt. B. joined me & we hunted over to "the Hively farm" where Capt. found & pointed a boy of quail in a deep hollow. As they rose I brought out a bird for each barrel & killed both. Capt. B. also fired both barrels. Upon hunting for the dead birds what was an surprise at finding 2/3 birds scattered around on the ground. How we killed so many will always be a mystery to me. Capt. afterwards found & pointed one of the scattered boys & I killed it as it
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Return from 407 Bury of Quail feeding on the Snow 1876. (Dec. 8) Mon. My pointer retrieved the dead birds weekly after first pointing dead on each. In V.M. I started off alone and hunted carefully over to Goodsheds beyond, Started four groups & shot 5 times killing one bird. Smuggler for the first time did really really good work making a number of good points and finding my bird—a drummer—in fine style. Saturday Dec. 9 The morning broke cloudy & snow falling thickly about 2 inches already on the ground. That weather soon cleared however & I got off at about 9, hunted one to Goodsheds & found the tracks of a large bear in his clear, but could not locate them. Returning I got a long shot into a bear of 1 that was off a wood pile up the valley but did not kill any I could not find them again. After dinner left 12. drove over to Mt. Barnstable when I took the 2.40 train for Boston. On the way over we saw a bury of 14 quail out on the snow within shot of the road, A pretty sight I never beheld, Some were resting squatted in little groups on the hardest surface; others were running busily about & little among the weeds while one large cock bird had climbed up a few inches on a bending stalk & we reaching up poking at the seeds. I forgot to note that grouse also in this locality fed out on the stubbles morning & during nearly as regularly as the quail. Total bag for week 12 quail 2 grouse 4 ripes = 18 birds.
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408 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Monday Dec. 11 Habits of the quail - Sturmel magna Clear & cold. This, 0° at sunrise. In P.M. took 'Gunnels and went up to the pine swamp when I tracked a quail for some time & started & shot at a grouse. I tracked the grouse from distance when it turned on its track and passed me within 20 yds. under cover of some fallen brush soon behind me. That it did this with design & while I was pressing closely on its footsteps was clearly proved by the long strides which it took & which were clearly visible in the snow. Tuesday Dec. 12 Cloudy through the day clearing at sunset. About five inches of snow fell last night & this morning. In P.M. started out taking my pointer "Smuggler". Beat the pine brush in rain; then tried the maple swamp beyond "Block island" and after tracking a berry of quail for some distance "Smuggler" finally found & pointed them in fine style. As they rose I "put on" to two but pulled trigger in plain for the hammer through some mistake had been left at half cock. Following them I found the other half of the berry but it was so dark when they rose that I could not be along the barrel & fired two shots in vain. Saw few as I found by following the tracks had split up on half keeping in the swamp, the other ranging out to feed in the open when I found them. Saw a single Sturmel magna flying on the big meadow. Saw also a must rat div into an air hole in the ice.
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Quail Shooting 1876. Monday Dec. 13 Clear and warm with light N.W. wind. Met Robt. Nesbit by appointment at 8.30 A.M. and started for the swamps, taking "Smuggler," Retit. had his pointer bitch "Sirm.". Robt Nesbit also accompanied us. After the pine swamp we flushed a bery of about 15 guail and making them down in the Spue on the Smith meadow, had good sport with them killing ninety birds. They lay well, each bird being crouched in under the fleecy snow when close to every branch & weed, forming tunnels & arches innumerable, leaving this bery at noon we flushed another of about the same size in the swamp beyond "Block Island". Of them I got three making our total bag twelve guail. I shot uncommonly well "for one", killing seven birds "Straight" missing both barrels on the next, then killing two more — quine birds in eleven shots. The latter time was in thick cover, the snow aided us much though the dogs also worked beautifully and found many of the birds. Several times however I tracked a quail directly into its hiding place, when I would call up my dog & getting him down to his front, would thrust in the toe of my rubber boot and "ye gods!" how the snow would fly as the quail burst up through it! These guail have evidently come down into the swamps from Belmont, estended probably by the abundant food as the nightshade berries are loaded with sweat berries and sank words abound we in the cover. We also started a groan & got home by dark all tired out
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410 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Wednesday Dec. 14 H.B. Quail 1 A.R. N quail 3(-1) G.M quail 1 - total 4 Cyanophora cyania - Beryl Aleyon - Nye Gardeni Dec. 5 Dec. 10 Dec. 15 Small Shooting Clear but absolutely still - not a breath of wind > a bad day consequently for scent. Met the three Nesbitt brothers by appointment at 9.30. I took "Danna" to day while Robert had his new setter bitch "Nell". John was fully equipped with three setters, "Old Bell", "Mand" and "Zelpha". He found the remains of the fine swamp bag in the same place as yesterday, only four birds getting up. He must have left more than that number yesterday unless we wounded more than we thought. Robert was the only one of the party that stood within shooting distance > he hit one bird very hard and followed it out into the spin I spray it again & got it the finish. In the swamp "Danna" roaded & pointed a grouse in fine style but I missed it when it got up. We next tried the Block is. bag and stalked it in the swamp. About eight birds ran left, Robert killed 2, and John 1 from this bag, I fired four shots and missed them all. These quail were now so badly frightened that they lay like stones and soon when lit close & by him was afraid to call. We gave up hunting at about 4 P.M. and returned. I find by examining tracks in the snow that the ruffed grouse associates with the quail and sans I finds with the bag, This I had previously suspected from the fact that one so often marks the two species together. Fraser shot a Gy, cyania in fall fl. on Dec. 5. He also saw a & Beryl Aleyon Dec. 14 and a Nyctanoda Gardeni Dec. 15 Allin Watertown on the Goodacre farm
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1876. Sunday Dec. 31 The year (1876) closes to day with solid white weather. Since Dec. 9th the ground has been covered with snow, no warm spells having occurred. At date of writing we have about in this vicinity, about 25 inches, and the skirting is good. The past month has been characterized by a great scarcity of birds, both as to individuals and species. No winter irregular winter visitors at all and regular species scantily represented. In late Nov. and the first part of this month Goodale had four Nyctalus Nyctalus albaea sent in from the vicinity of Boston; he always has more of this species than any other taxidermist of any acquaintance... Ivurdus migratorius regularly but in very small numbers on and about the Bodge farm in Water- town through the past two months. He also saw distinctly. Accipiter fuscescens in the same locality on Dec. 29; a bird of the same species (and probably the same individual) was seen at nearly the same place by Mr. W. Fatter, Dec. 30. Mr. Fraser also informs me that he has counted up in all nine specimens of Melanops erythrocephalus shot in Watertown and Newton the past autumn (see p. 397) At Goodale's is a specimen of Plectrophanes lapponicus shot at Chelsea beach, Jan. Dec. 29th 1876. Plectrophanes nivalis is very scarce this year and I have seen only a very few, most of them flying high in air,
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412 Cambridge May - 1877 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1877 May 16 Through the winter months birds of all kinds were excessively scarce and I saw and heard of so few that I did not think it worth while to take the field and thoro Jan'y, [illegible] and Feb'y I did not fire a shot or make any observations worth recording. Saturday March 3d I started for Florida where I spent the rest of [illegible] month, returning to Georgia on April 5th and remaining at St. Mary's in that State until May 4th when I started for home and landed in Boston May 16th. A more detailed record of this trip will be found in another Journal. Arriving at home late at night I woke early the next morning to hear the Robins singing in the Lindens trees the first robins I had heard this year. Everything was very backward in Mass, and [illegible] to the day of my arrival there had been Twenty days of East wind, and chilly cloudy weather. But Sunday May 13 was warm and pleasant and since then the Wind has been mostly from the S.W. the ther. about 75-80 at noon and the vegetation and birds have come again. This afternoon I took my collecting jacket and with Wild Stones drove up to the willows where I shot Twelve birds, all common ones for Allen, except a My. pusillus b'. May and June Through the remainder of this month I remained in Cambridge but collected only little my time being otherwise taken up. I was 16th I went to Concord Mass. when I passed the entire summer
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MASS. (Middlesex Co.) Concord Mass. Notes of Scops asio 413 Coceyzus erythroptalimus migrates by night 1877. Aug. 9 For rural evening past I have heard, after darkness had fairly set in, this peculiar notes of Coceyzus erythroptalmus. Upon previous occasions I supposed that the birds were merely flying out from their perches but too bright; at about 10 P.M. I discovered by listening attentively that these birds were flying forward and in every instance passing, as nearly as I could determine to the Southward. They seemed to be flying low down and I heard at least four or five in the course of an hour. The only note attend was the characteristic star of alarm, cwar-r-r-roo. Warblers commenced migrating about the 1st of Aug. and each night risen with frequency of their chirping from the state-list skag above, windows. Aug 14 A Bubo virginicus hooted all night low on the "Great Meadows" below the house. " 15 Listened to a Scops asio for a long time to-night and heard two notes entirely new to me; the first, we-on we-low we-row; the second, a sound like the whistling of wings but louder fuller and less shrill. The bird frequently uttered the usual wailing cry and also the shorter howl,
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414 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1877. Aug 26 East Dæstia Concord Mass. "His horreum" "Progn purpura Yales Columbianus" " Cloudy and foggy morning: trees dripping after yesterday's heavy rain, At least one hundred Chaetura pelagica Circling rapidly about the tops of the elm tree in front of the Buttricks', picking off some insect from the topmost leaves. Saw the last Dendroeca æstiva; -- most of them left about a week since! Saw also the last Progne purpura, a few swallows of the other species still with us. The Martins congregated in a vast body several days since lighting all over Mr. Hayes' farm and after spending nearly the whole day in pelting their ranks, they disappeared. Sept 13 Shot a female Pyrausa subra in the apple tree behind the Buttrick's house. I was in company with a lot of yellow and dark Sarporhis fuscus. Saw several Contopus viridis yesterday and shot two. This afternoon a vast body of Chimney Swifts appeared over the drive and dozens flapping down swiftly skimmed over the water, occasionally dipping to the surface within to seize an insect or to drink I could not decide which. While watching this I noticed a great commotion in their midst and a tiny little Yales Columbarius appeared with one of the Swifts dangling from his claws its long wing hanging conspicuously
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Falco Anatum 415 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1877. (Sep. 13) Downward, associated with the Swifts were two Kermode hoom the last of the season 8 Sept. 23 While sitting of Mr Nesbitts piazza in Cambridge this morning a fine Falco Anatum appeared and Skinned Swift just within thirty yards of us. Passing one an open field when some white hens wer fuding it stoof four successins times at them different birds falling from a height of about thirty feet on an irregular spiral. Each time it protruded its talons as it round its victim but each time it missed it, aim and with a superb wheel rose again to its former elevation. It seemed to me to be simply playing - swooping down from then Avantoness, as I could see nothing to prevent its seizing its game had it so wished! The hens in turn can seemd badly frightened and fluttered of sufficent haste. During the whole times that it was in sight I did not see it flap once all its motions though rapid been simply easy gliding terms. It was a small bird, I should think a male and looked very dark brown in color,
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416 MASS. (Middlesex Co.) 1877. Sept 24 Dron up to Concord yesterday afternoon and packed up all my things. This morning started early and drom down to Cambridge. Saw quite a number of Dendroeca palmann at Coroneta for the first time. Oct. 1 Took a ride with Will Stone this forenoon and saw a Pyrranga rubra in Mt. Auburn. It was with a large company of Bluebirds and Sparrows and frequently flew down to this ground as the former were doing to seize an insect. On one occasion I saw it pick up a large green worm or Caterpillar. Saw also Certhia americana " 2 While driving this afternoon in Brooklyn I saw a single Anthus ludovicicus " 3 While driving in Brooklyn to day on an errand Sphyrapicus seems " 7 Heard a few Juncos this morning " 11 A foggy morning with many birds flying over our garden. A small flock of Scot, jays minus two Daiscales purpureus - I have seen this genus at intervals since the summer- Lon, alcedins singing faintly and Sicta et Turdus migratorius Caroling as in Spring
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1877. Wednesday Oct. 10 Humendo briclor While driving in Brooklyn this morning saw a small company of Humendo briclor - perhaps 15 or 20 - flying over the salt marshes 417
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418 1878. April 13 Trip to Mt Carmel Illinois Left Boston Saturday morning April 13th and arrived in Washington Sunday morning at 2 X. M. Spent Sunday & Monday with Henry W. Hunshard and Monday night left the city with R. Ridgway on the 9.25 train from the B.&O. R.R. for Mt Carmel. Tuesday morning we woke to find the train runny into Grafton where we took breakfast. Thro' the forenoon we were jostlin' swiftly thro' West Va. & I had a good view of my old collecting ground at Petroleum. Passed Parkersburg at 10 and thro' the remainder of the day we are running thro' Ohio. Saw a good many birds but none of special interest. Dons [?], etc.] were exceedingly abundant. The road passes thru a country universally under cultivation & apparently very highly fertile. The beautiful red bud tree was in full bloom everywhere & gave a very effective touch of color to the nearly leafless woods. At 7 P.M. we reached Cincinnati and took supper. She [?] was just letting us as we saw into the out skirts of the city and it's low present fall of dun smoke murky smoke hung over the great city. English Sparrows made discord on every side as I sat from. We soon left all this behind & shot away again into the night,
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1878 Wednesday April 17 Arrival at Mt Carmel 419 When boarded from our biths at 2.30 A.M. to find that we had arrived at Miami. Then we disembarked & waited an hour for the freight train which was to convey us to Mt Carmel. It was a lovely moonlight night or rather morning and as we smoked a cigar on the platform of the depot a Whip-poor-will flew in from woods beyond the meadows to the Eastward, and when the first streaks of dawn appeared a Bewick's Wren the first I had ever heard burst into song in a run over yard: more of him anon. Soon we were again jolting away on the train & a little after Dublin we reached Mt Carmel, a beautiful town built on the crest of a rolling prairie swell. After breakfast we started off for a reconnaissance in the woods. Took a nest of Colubris Indoricians & fresh eggs. Shot both parents. Also Melampus or Loph. Bestor Thru, Cyanus cristata fin; cardinals one; Saurus nov. one, & found others. I saw my first Chordostes grammecea It flew from the road & lit on a fence post uttering a subtle chip. Saw 2 few Dend. Caerula, on Hylope Cebra, & Countess Melampis. etc. Virus florifrons & the characteristic resident species. Evidently the Warblers are not yet here. The dog wood (Cornus) is in full bloom & fills the woods with its snowy masses.
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