1891
April 5
(No 3)
Mass.
Concord to Cambridge. - first for a Shrike, sitting
on the top of a birch heap. The next instant
it jerked up its tail and then flew into an
arbor vitae hedge where I at once recognized
it as a Mockingbird. I got out of the buggy
and followed it when it flew up into an
elm and then crossed a field to another
elm where I left it. It was evidently an old
male but it was not in the mood for
singing and kept absolute silence.
  Bluebirds were seen in about the numbers in
which they are represented during the breeding
season.  Doubtless their migration has now
passed by. Red-winged Blackbirds were in
small flocks flying about in orchards, none
singing on the meadows. Chickadees in pairs
in orchards & birch runs. Crows in pairs
and not over a dozen seen in all. A few 
Crow Blackbirds but no Rusties. No Swallows
or Pewees, Song Sparrows simply swarming
but not singing freely. Their migration
apparently at its height.
  There has been little or no change in the 
bird fauna but have heard only one sing,
- on the 3rd. The clamor of the detestable House
Sparrows is for the most part the only spring (?)
sound within my narrow boundaries.
have not heard a Song Sparrow there this
year & no Juncos have visited me at yet.
There was a Downy Woodpecker in my apple
trees this morning, however.