1893
April 7
(No 2)
Concord, Mass.
  The young man who came to see me last evening
counted 37 Robins on this trip to and from Fairhaven
yesterday. This morning they were in great abundance
about our house. I saw five, apparently all males,
squabbling together in the top of an apple tree, making
a squealing noise very like that of a Robin in the
clutches of a Hawk. During the snow storm in the
afternoon several birds visited the bitter sweet vine
on the shed to feed on the berries. It is evident
that the bulk of the Robins did not reach here this
spring until yesterday or the day before. Our summer
birds have now probably all come and with them perhaps
some migrants bound still further north.
[margin]A rush
of Robins[/margin]
  A pretty little female Sparrow Hawk spent the
forenoon in our orchard. Perched on the topmost twig
of an apple tree, her head drawn down between her
shoulders, her gaze directed steadily towards the ground.
She would sit almost perfect motionless for ten
or fifteen minutes at a time doubtless watching for
mice. I was much interested to observe that a dozen
or more Sparrows (Juncos, Song & Fox Sparrows) which
were feeding within a few yards of the tree showed
not the slightest fear of the Sparrow Hawk nor did
the latter once appear to notice them. The Hawk was
rather shy taking short flights as I advanced towards
her and not permitting me to approach much
more than 70 or 80 yards. On approaching her perch,
she invariably dipped down well towards the ground
and then shot upwards dropping her feet & closing
her wings at the same instant performing this with
admirable ease & grace. Once she alighted on a fence post,
[margin]Sparrow
Hawk[/margin]