June 26, 1891
England.
(no 11)
Chester. - and oaks with many open stretches of
pasture meadow where cattle and rabbits were
grazing. A sharp bend with a wooded bluff on
the left was very beautiful indeed but as a 
whole this river scenery does not compare
with ours. The water was muddy but it is
said to be clear where there have been no
recent heavy rains. The current was swift.
  Birds were numerous everywhere. In addition
to those seen elsewhere I made the acquaintance
of the Sedge Warbler, the House Martin and
the Skylark. The Warbler was singing in bushes
along the river; its notes were feeble and
stridulous, reminding me of those of Ammod.
candacutus. The Martins were flying about over
the river; their motions are slow like those
of our Eave Swallow, their notes very like
the Land Martin's. The Skylarks were soaring
and singing - a wonderful performance quite
equal to what I had pictured it. We
saw one rise fully 1000 feet above the earth.
The flight lasts at least two or three minutes
and the song [near?] ceases for an instant
while the bird is in the air. The whole thing,
especially the final arrow-like descent to
the earth, recalled the Woodcock's flight but
the Skylark floats instead of plunges down
most of the distance. Three were up at one time.
I was disappointed in the song but I did not
hear it well; there were too many other sounds.
  Reached Chester at 7 P.M.