Concord, Mass.
1893 
Aug. 27  
(No 2)                                                                           
  Immediately after dinner I started with Mr. Hubbard &
Mr. Buttnick on a long walk. We went through Mr. Pratt's
fields and the common Lot to the Lime Kiln, thence
across to Bateman's Pond and hour past Bow Meadow &
the Dutton farm.  It was oppressively hot in the woods
and the small birds were either very silent & quiet
or very scarce for we heard only some Chickadees and
the occasional chirp of a Warbler. The little Spaniels who
accompanied us ransacked every nook and corner of the
woods but flushed no Partridges or other game.
  I was greatly surprised to see no less than 26                                          
Blue Jays together in a pasture near Bateman's Pond.
They flew from some birches into a large hickory
and then across the pasture to the woods. There in
the air the bulk of the flock kept as close together
as Blackbirds but three or four birds lagged behind
& followed the others in straggling order. There was
literally no screaming, not even a single cry in fact.
They were moving south but not, I think, migrating
at the time although there can be little question
that they were collected together for the purpose
of starting on a long journey.
[margin]A flock of 
26 Blue Jays[/margin]
  On several occasions this summer when a thunder             
shower was coming up I have noticed Swallows &
Swifts flying at a great height. Two Swifts this
afternoon were whirling about along the edge of the
thunder cloud at fully 2000 ft. above the earth.
they appeared to be feeding.
[margin]Swifts[/margin]