(566) a vortex of slaty blue mixed with brown and white at the level of my face, followed by a long streak curving upwards toward my right as a hawk dashed between the bushes and me and made for the trees to the north. Undoubtedly a Sharpshin. The nearest bush in front of me was 5 feet from me, so he was not farther than that from me--positively-- but I am certain that he was closer to me than to the bush, so, unquestionably, as he also had to fly under branches over my head that are not more than 7 feet above the ground and was on a level with my eyes, he was not more than 2½ feet from my face, on which I could feel the wind. Too late, of course, I went to the house for a gun, and returned to the glade. The birds all came out almost at once, including the wren, which it not developed, had gone down into the chaparral. He came out, scolding, and sat for a moment on my gun barrel! (At last proving the essential accuracy of the hackneyed pictures of the cartoonists). Everything "loosened up" at once--the birds knew that the hawk had gone. Brownie jumped to my knee and I noted carefully that the underlying motive of his conversation-- entirely calm and unexcited--was the pee-low phrase which he had been using while hiding. (O as in no). It will be noted that it was the timid Greenie that first broke into the open of all the birds assembled in the glade, but that she ran directly to her mate. (For protection?) Curiously enough, there was no greeting between them; I noted this especially, as it seemed to be an occasion calling for some display of emotion--notwithstanding that I did not suspect at the time that there was anything serious afoot. Also it will be seen that it was a Fox Sparrow that first came out for food i.e. that first returned to normal. It is clear, also, though I did not time it exactly, that after about 15 minutes, the birds were beginning to feel that there immediate was no longer any danger--a mistake on their part,--but that they were quickly assured that it had passed when the hawk flew away. The whole incident impressed me as being considered by the birds as Hawk within 2½ feet. Birds thaw. Wren sits on gun barrel. B uses same talk as when hiding. G first bird to break cover; runs to mate. Fox sparrow first to eat. Birds make mistake. Impression created.