CHOCORUA. 223 



sang over and over again, and each cooling spray 

 of notes seemed more bewitching than the last. 

 Meantime I had recognized blue yellow- 

 backed or parula warblers, and that charming 

 bird, the vivacious Canadian flycatching war- 

 bler. As I strolled on slowly through the moss- 

 hung shades a large bird flew from a maple 

 a rod or two before me and perched on a high 

 limb, so that I saw it against a patch of sky. 

 Quickly covering it with my glass I saw that 

 it was a hawk of the largest size, probably 

 the buteo lineatus or red-shouldered hawk. To 

 my surprise the great creature flew back to- 

 wards me and alit in a tree which sprang from 

 a point close by. It saw me, and was peering 

 keenly and anxiously through the leaves. A 

 wild and weird cry escaped from its open 

 throat, and it flew in a half circle and perched 

 again near by. Creeping under a balsam tree 

 I sat down and awaited developments. A rush 

 of wings, a shadow, and I saw the hawk's mate 

 sweep downwards and alight upon the edge of 

 a large nest of branches and twigs in a tall 

 maple just in front of me. It saw me as it 

 struck the nest, and instantly swooped down 

 towards me, passing within two or three feet 

 of my head. Both birds then took positions 

 commanding a good view of me and made the 

 woods echo with their fierce cries. They were 



