Concord, Massachusetts.
1891.
Oct. 21
(No 3)
Carlisle. - it at this distance but I was surprised
on picking it up to find nothing left but 
the head and wings with a strip of skin
connecting them. Probably it was struck by
one of the large felt powder wads.
[margin]Woodcock &
Quail[/margin]
  I had four shots after this, two at single
birds, one flushed by Melvin the other beautifully
roaded and pointed by Don, the other two
a right and left at seven or eight Quail
which had run together and which rose in
an opening in the woods. I missed all four
shots, doubtless because I had become exceedingly
tired by our long tramp.
  Melvin and Robbins meanwhile had fired
several shots at Quail, killing one, and several
at two Woodcock one of which Melvin bagged
the other escaping.
  Leaving the Quail we crossed the fields
to the burying ground where we found
George waiting for us with the mended wagon.
As we were getting the dogs in the plaintive
whistle of a Quail came to our ears on
the wind from the covers we had just
quitted.
  Skirting the edge of the town we drove
several miles nearly due north to a
cover where Robbins saw two Woodcock a
week ago. It proved an unpromising looking 
tangle of birches, scrub oaks and alders on
a hill-side sloping down to a swamp
but in fifteen or twenty minutes Melvin