June 22, 1891
England
(no 4)
Chester - the ride I saw about as many birds as would
be seen within a similar space under similar conditions
at home. I had expected to see many more.
  I found C. & E. R. S. at lodgings at #19 White Friars,
Chester. After dinner I walked down the narrow street
pausing to watch the Swifts which were flying overhead
in great numbers. Their flight is much less rapid &
erratic than that of our bird but generally similar in
character. The shape of the wings is the same but the
tail is long & forked. Colors almost exactly the same.
The note recalls our Cedar Birds' with the metallic quality
and emphasis of the King Birds' added. Near the end
of the street a dozen or more of these Swifts were whirling
about a low brick building occasionally sweeping upward
and alighting just under the projecting eaves where
they clung against the perpendicular wall. Some House
Sparrows were peeping out at them from a row of
crevices. More of the Swifts entered these crevices
& I could not make out what they were at.
There were several Rooks' nests in elms in a 
garden but no Rooks. No small birds seen or
heard except House Sparrows which were numerous
everywhere but less so than in Cambridge.
  Crossed River Dee by the Grosvenor Bridge.
A great oblong field below on the right studded
thickly with cows and boys playing cricket. I
could hear no birds except Swifts. Just beyond
the bridge I left the street, descended & crossed
a deep wooded ravine & ascended the slope
beyond. A Thrasher-like song coming from
somewhere in the distance. Followed up the