Concord, Mass.
1893
July 18
  Clear, nearly calm and intensely hot, the thermometer rising to 98 [degrees].
A heavy thunder shower at 6 P.M. after which the air was
much cooler.
  A cherry tree with ripe fruit near the Buttrick's house
attracts great numbers of birds. Stopping under it this
afternoon and looking up for a moment, I saw two
Robins, a Crow Blackbird, a Grosbeak, six Baltimore Orioles
and several house Sparrows, all eating the cherries. Most
of the Orioles were young birds. They & the Sparrow picked
at the cherries; the Robins ate them whole. The Blackbird
appeared to be suffering from the heat for it kept its
bill open and panted visably.
  At 3 P.M. I started for Ball's Hill in the open canoe.
There was a light head wind so I had to paddle down.
Robins, Song Sparrows & a few other common birds were
singing in spite of the intense heat. A crow Blackbird flew
across the river with something in its bill which looked like
a snake of six or eight inches in length. It dropped it
among some nearby mown hay but on landing & going
to the spot I could find nothing.
  Landing at the cabin I walked around & over Ball's Hill.
The blueberries are ripening and the swamp was alive
with birds, chiefly Cat birds, Thrashers and Song Sparrows.
A Cat Bird, Pine Warbler and Song Sparrow were singing.
  Near the middle of the swamp I came upon a family
party of Redstarts consisting of both old birds & at least
three young. The old male was in fine black & orange plumage.
[margin]Redstarts[/margin]