Massachusetts Audubon Society 9 



several purple finches. Both the scarlet tanager and indigo bunting, as well 

 as field sparrows, song sparrows and chewinks have also favored our visit- 

 ing friends by feeding here, in their presence, although not at this time. 



Opportunity was presented on this day for observing many birds about 

 their homes. Tree swallows, house wrens, bluebirds, phcebes, robins and 

 song sparrows were nesting close by the house; a ruffed grouse nest contain- 

 ing thirteen eggs was located near the Ferny Trail, and that of a red- 

 shouldered hawk containing young birds was known to be situated in a pine 

 grove not far distant. 



Many more tree swallows seem to be occupying our nesting-boxes than 

 were here last year. Also a larger number of bluebirds are nesting. A pair 

 of cave swallows was seen circling over the garden lot, barn swal- 

 lows were nesting in the large barn, and chimney swifts in the large 

 chimney of the farmhouse. At least three pairs of phcebes are nest- 

 ing here, and the orioles have already swung their hanging basket high up 

 in one of the dooryard elms, having accepted our proffered nesting material 

 of strings, strips of cloth and colored yarns. 



Tree swallows gave beautiful exhibitions to visitors by darting down 

 in the dooryard and catching white feathers which were thrown to them. 

 The golden-winged, the parula, the prairie, the yellow, the Nashville, the 

 black-throated green, the black and white and several other species of 

 v/arblers were in evidence about the grounds. Chestnut-sided warblers and 

 redstarts seemed particularly abundant. 



The beautiful, bubbling songs of the purple finches, and their interest- 

 ing ways as they fed so abundantly about our window shelves and feeding 

 stations, were perhaps one of the Ijest attractions for many of our visitors 

 on this day, as few people seem to know these birds under such favorable 

 circumstances. 



Those who lingered for the sunset songs of the birds were well repaid 

 for their waiting. Wood thrushes and hermit thrushes sang together their 

 evening hymns, following the "good-night" songs of the robins, chewinks 

 and many of the warblers while the quiet twittering of the swallows, circling 

 about in the dusk, melted gradually into the night songs of the hylas, frogs 

 and toads. 



When the sun disappeared behind the dark grove of pines along the 

 western ridge the low, plaintive call of the woodcock was heard in the alder 

 swamp, and after a few repetitions of this elusive sound one of these birds 

 was seen to mount into the air, and on quivering wings ecstatically pour 

 forth its love song to its mate on the ground below. This strange perform- 

 ance was continued, being heard from the ledge in several parts of the 

 grounds. Oven-birds also gave similar exhibitions, though less marked in 

 the quality ^d duration of both flight and song. 



As darkness gradually enshrouded hill and valley beneath us, one by 

 one these various songsters were quieted and the night sounds began to be 

 heard. Whip-poor-wills called vociferously to their mates. The buzz of a 

 heavy-flying beetle or the whirr of wings from one of the night moths told 

 of a different life now astir among the flowers and shrubs about us. Occa- 

 sionally a bat swooped over our heads. A brown rabbit, disturbed by our 

 intrusion, stamped off impatiently through the underbrush. Wood mice 

 stirred among the leaves, or scampered across the trail before us. A quiet 



