1891
April 8 (No 4)
  Mass. 
  Concord. taking wing. A flock of [?] Black Ducks 
which were in the bush behind him rose with 
noisy quacking and made off down river, followed,
a few minutes later by three more from [?] 
meadows near the pines. In the latter we saw 
a Hawk which we did not identify conclusively, 
but which screamed very like the bird heard on 
the pine hill in the [?]. We also saw a 
flock of 45 Canada Geese. they appeared over 
the river near Ball's Hill flying directly down 
stream, honking musically, and at one time 
lowering and scaling as if about to alight but 
finally passing on.
  At 3 P. M. we started up river. Soon after 
passing Ball's hill we saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk
[?] on the air and on the south side 
of Great Meadows a noble Osprey circling about 
a large maple on which it finally alighted for 
a moment before flying off over the land 
towards Fairhaven. It had a fish in its talons.
  As we rowed upstream past the upper end of 
the meadow we heard and saw Red-wings 
on every side, sitting singly on isolated trees 
and bushes singing. On reaching the Manse 
we found a few Robins singing but the sun 
was now low in the west and a chill east 
wind had arisen effectively silencing most 
of the other songsters. We walked to the 
Fitchburg station and took the 6:41 train 
for home.