1892
May 20
(No 3)
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord.- I made my homeward [omitted: way] through Pratt's land
seeing nothing of much interest until I reached the
large apple orchard below Merwyn's vineyard. The trees
were in fullest bloom – a perfect sea of rose, pink and
white loading the air with fragrance and alive with
bees and birds. There was Humming bird, an Oriole,
no less than three Purple Finches, all red males, and
all singing in rivalry trying to outdo each otter,
Presently I saw a yellow cap and black-throat in the
midst of a cluster of blossoms and out hopped a
beautiful little Golden-winged Warbler. He was probing
the blossoms with his needle pointed bill and an Oriole
in the same tree was similarly employed. The Warbler
sang a few times.
[margin]Apple orchard
in bloom.[/margin]
[margin]Golden winged
Warbler[/margin]
  While I was watching him two Quail began whistling
in the bushes along the old wall near me giving the
"bob-white" and also the autumn calls. I did not
see either of them.
[margin]Quail[/margin]
  Leaping over the wall I started a [?] Finch.
I recognized it at a glance and afterwards watched it
at ten to fifteen yards as long as I cared to stay by it.
It fed gradually out into the stubble hopping sedately
about & occasionally walking a few steps. Its motions
were rather more stealthy & skulking than a Song
Sparrow's, more like a Swamp Sparrow's I think. It
finally flew to a steep bank and began exploring the
nooks & crannies among & under the exposed roots of
an oak reminding me now of a Wren. It was very
tame & perfectly silent. The buff on the throat &
breast was faint & I think the bird was a female.
[margin][?]
Finch.[/margin]
  I reached home at 6 P.M.. having passed a [?]
pleasant afternoon. Started four Partridge & heard three more
drumming. Two Wood Thrushes singing.