1892
April 5
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord. - Cloudy and cooler yet still very mild for
the season. Variable light winds N. E. to S. E.
  Spent an hour or more after breakfast in directing
some work on a boat house by the river. While thus
engaged I heard the rich notes of a Purple Martin
and looking up saw the bird sailing directly overhead.
Presently three others appeared and then all four
flew off towards the Great Meadows. A pair of
Nuthatches, doubtless those which breed at the Manse,
came to an apple tree near the willows and
inspected all its holes and crevices and a Yellow Palm
Warbler flitted through the orchard singing freely.
  At 10.30 a.m. I started for Ball's Hill in my
decked canoe, paddling down. Heard Swallows on
the meadows and even a Martin. Song Sparrows &
Red-wings swarming. Bluebirds not diminishing in
numbers as yet. Four Kingfishers at the Holt
very noisy and acting queerly, flying about two together
high in air making in addition to the rattle a
harsh, grating scold exceedingly like that of a Jay.
At times one would sail on motionless wings, at
others beat the wings rapidly with a fluttering motion
like a butterfly. As nearly as I could make out
through my glass all four birds were males. I
have never seen Kingfishers act in this way before.
[margin]Queer behavior
of Kingfishers[/margin]
  I saw in all four Palm Warblers along the river
and heard a Ruby-crowned Kinglet sing once.
As I was passing Holden's hill a Carolina Dove began
cooing in some pines. Afterwards a dog started four
of these Doves all together from the ground among
some oaks on the west side of my swamp.