Concord, Mass.
1893  
July 27 
(No 2)                                                                              
  As we coming up river this evening we                                                
saw a bitterns flying over the meadows and
another was started in the morning from
a belt of reeds on the river from which
it rose as we approached in the boats. Each
bird while flying discharged a perfect shower
of excrement. It is probable that the cutting
of the grass on the meadow disturbs & drives
the Bitterns from their usual haunts to
the river banks. At least I have seen none
this month before to-day and hay cutting
on the meadow began only a few days ago.
[margin]Bitterns[/margin]
  Just above Flints' bridge a Mud Turtle thrust                          Mud Turtles fighting
his head above the surface a little in advance
of the boats. Suddenly he raised the whole
forward part of his body into view as if
pushed violently upward at the same time
pawing at the air with his fore feet. The 
next instant he sank slowly back out of
sight. Then two turtles heads appeared near
together & were withdrawn again. On paddling
to the spot I found one Turtle of about
fifty pounds weight and another of perhaps
forty pounds facing each other threateningly
their heads under water only four or five inches apart,
thin moss covered backs just showing.They
remained thus for several minutes, then one
thrusting up his head saw me when he at
once swam straight for the bottom, the other
following suit. Doubtless we interrupted one of those
terrible battles which these creatures are prone to it is said.