Concord, Mass.
1893
Aug. 16
  Clear and cool with light E. wind. 
[margin]Ball's Hill[/margin]
  To Ball's Hill at 11 A.M. paddling down. After dining
at the cabin I spent the afternoon trimming off branches
that have grown out over the paths. I was in the
woods altogether about two hours during which time the
only small birds that I saw were two Robins and a
Red eyed Vireo.
  The little spaniels flushed a brood of four Partridges on
the north side of Ball's Hill. Two birds flew off over the
swamp and two treed in the oaks. One of the latter chose
for its perch a dead branch were [where] it stood nearly upright
craning its neck out and turning its head to watch the
dog running about beneath. 
[margin]Partridge in 
a tree[/margin]
  On the way up river at evening I saw a good many
birds, chiefly Red-wings, Bobolinks and Swifts. A Green Heron
kept flitting on ahead and just above the Y-tree a Bittern
was standing erect and motionless on the marshy ground
a rod or two back from the water in a spot where the
grass was too sparse & short to afford any real cover.
The sunlight striking on the bird's yellowish plumage made
it so conspicuous that I saw it when fully 100 yds. away.
As I approached it began to crouch sinking down so
very slowly that I could scarcely detect any vertical
motion but at the same time swaying very noticeably
from side to side. Its bill, all the while, was held
pointing upward at the usual angle. It did not
seem much afraid of me and I passed without 
causing it to fly. It looked like a young bird.
[margin]Bittern[/margin]
  The Marsh Mallow (Hibiscus) in bloom to-day for first time.
[margin]Marsh Mallow[/margin]