Concord, Mass.
1893
Aug. 21
  A heavy N.E. storm began last night and lasted
until noon when the rain ceased. The wind gradually
branched into the N.W. and the sun peeped out before setting.
  In the forenoon I visited the 23 Cyclone traps
which Chapman set yesterday. Nearly half of them had
been sprung but only two contained victims, both
White-footed mice.
  During the whole time I was out the rain poured
down in sheets and the woods shook & shivered under
the fierce gusts of wind. An Osprey high on
Davis Hill was soaring calmly, a fine sight.
A young Cooper's Hawk, doubtless the same bird seen
yesterday, was screaming in the prairie near the
Glacial Hollow & came around us when I "screeped”.
I heard a Wilson's Thrush & a Red-eye or two and
saw a pair of Chickadees.
  Chapman and I started for the Buttricks's at 5 P.M.
The wind was now N. and still gusty & dangerous
but we managed to sail about half the way without
accident. About 15 Swifts accompanied by as many
Swallows representing all five of our New England Hirundinidae
(there was but one Martin & one Barn Swallow) were flying over
the Beaver Dam Rapid. At Rice Island there were fully
150 Swifts dashing about close over the water & ridge.
I have never seen so many together before. It would
have been easy to kill one or more at each shot
by firing at random through the swarm. They
reminded me forcibly of gnats despite the difference
in their flight.
[margin]Chimney
Swifts[/margin]