6 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



seen passing high over the Sanctuary grounds, hundreds of red-winged and 

 rusty blackbirds have been observed flying steadily to the northeast, while 

 little groups of ducks have been noted winging their swift flight far into the 

 rosy depths of the sunset clouds. One flock of geese has been reported as 

 passing over the town this week. 



On the morning of the 21st two fox sparrows appeared in the yard, and 

 several song sparrows were heard singing in the swamps. A flock of 23 rusty 

 blackbirds was also observed flying over the Sanctuary. 



In the afternoon of the 22d many birds were noted migrating. Over a 

 hundred crows were seen passing over in varying-sized flocks and singly. 

 These were flying very high and to the northeast. Also 150 to 200 rusty and 

 red-winged blackbirds, a few robins and bluebirds, and several small flocks 

 of starlings. This was a clear day with a temperature of fifty degrees, and 

 a southwest wind, and was followed in the evening with a marvellous display 

 of Aurora Borealis, lasting many hours and lighting up the woods and hills 

 with a light nearly equal to that of a full moon. 



The following day large flocks of juncos, song sparrows, fox sparrows, 

 tree sparrows, robins and red-winged blackbirds, totalling many hundreds 

 of birds, were noted in the yard and along the roadsides and fields. All 

 seemed to be travelling in a general northerly direction. Many crows were 

 also noted about the woods and flying overhead. Five rufi"ed grouse were 

 flushed near the Sanctuary headquarters, and a red-tailed hawk was observed 

 over the western ridge. Twelve downy woodpeckers — several of these 

 being in pairs and mating — were observed on this day. The temperature 

 reached 64, with a south wind, in the afternoon. 



On the 24th, two cowbirds were noted and many bluebirds were about 

 the grounds. Migrating flocks of sparrows continued along the fields and 

 roadsides, and many fox sparrows, tree sparrows and jimcos were heard 

 singing in Catbird Swamp. The thermometer on this day climbed to 67 and 

 the warm south wind continued. 



A change in weather conditions took place on the 25th, when a strong 

 north wind blew throughout the day, although the temperature reached 57 

 in mid-afternoon. Only a few birds were noted in the yard on this day, and 

 but one or two crows were heard. Cloudy weather settled into a fine rain 

 in the evening. Our phcebe remained about the doorway throughout the day, 

 and a pair of bluebirds came to our food table for sumac berries. In one 

 other instance bluebirds were observed feeding on sumac in one of the 

 orchards. Woodcock were first heard on this day, giving their peculiar calls 

 preliminary to the "flight song" in the dusk of the evening. 



On the 26th two pairs of bluebirds were inspecting boxes about the 

 dooryard, and a pair of cowbirds remained throughout most of the day in 

 a hackmatack tree in the dooryard — the male giving vent to frequent love 

 notes, and flitting about. Both came to the food-stand nearby to feed upon 

 the grain. Many robins and bluebirds were noted about this morning, and 

 both fox and song sparrows were numerous and were singing. While there 

 was a light northeasterly breeze, the temperature rose to 61. Hylas were 

 first heard peeping on the evening of this day, which culminated with a drop 

 of temperature, a westerly wind and rain. 



The week ended with another clear, beautiful spring day, with a tem- 

 perature of 54. Bluebirds continued their inspection of our bird-boxes 

 about the yard and orchards, and our red-shouldered hawk screamed in 

 ecstacy as he soared with his mate over the Mohawk Woods. About sunset 



