1893
May 16
(No 2)
Concord, Mass.
Return from Ball's Hill
  As we were driving back from Ball's Hill the rattle
of the wheels started a White-crowned Sparrow from
some bushes by the roadside on the easter slope of
Punkatassett Hill. It flew up in to a scrub oak on which
a Grass Finch was perched, singing. I am not sure
that the White-crown did not sing once, but after I 
stopped the horse we heard only the Grass Finch.
[margin]White crowned
Sparrow[/margin]
  A remarkably deep-colored Scarlet Tanager was also
seen on this stretch of road flitting from tree to tree
as we drove slowly up the hill. It is the first I
have noted this year. Had the species arrived in
any numbers I should surely have seen or heard
several in the chestnut woods in the Common Lot
through which we passed twice this forenoon.
[margin]Tanager 
arrives[/margin]
  Near the middle of Bensen's pasture the turf over
the space of half an acre or more was alive with
birds this afternoon. There were a dozen or more Red-wings
(all but one females) several Cow Buntings, a Flicker,
two Grass Finches, several Chippies and, most singular
of all, two Wilson's Thrushes.
[margin]Birds in
Bensen's
pasture[/margin]
  Last night at about ten o'clock the Yellow winged
Sparrow which has evidently established himself in the
field opposite the Buttricks, sang once loudly giving
the ordinary simple locust-like song. I have heard
the varied, twittering song from him in the day time
on several recent occasions. He always sings late
with the evening twilight when all other diurnal
birds except the Robin have become silent.
[margin]Yellow-winged
Sparrow
sings at
night[/margin]