1892.
Aug. 14
(No 2)
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord.- They were coming in singly, chiefly from the W. and
the flight was nearly over when I reached the place. There was
a good deal of "talking" but no singing either here or elsewhere this
evening.

  As I was paddling up the straight reach between the Holt
and Hunt's Pond a Virginia Rail began making a great outcry
in the narrow belt of pickerel weed & wild rice on the right (N.)
bank uttering the ki-ki so rapidly and in such shrill agonized
tones that I at first supposed that the bird had been seized
by a Weasel or Mink. On paddling to the spot, however, I quickly
became convinced that this was not the case but that the bird
was merely alarmed for the safety of he young for she continued
her cries with unabating vigor and moved continually from place
to place. I failed to silence her either by striking the water with
my paddle or by "spattering". I could see nothing for it was
nearly dark at the time. At this close range (I got within
ten or fifteen feet of the bird) the ki-ki had a peculiar vibrating
or jarring undertone not unlike that of the cutter note of the
Carolina Rail under similar conditions.
[margin]Virginia Rail√√[tick marks][/margin]

  Before the light had faded from the western sky I began to
hear the lisping notes of Warblers passing overhead on migration
and this was a frequent sound up to the time I went
to bed (11 P.M.). There were no Thrush calls to-night.
[margin]Migrating
Warblers[/margin]

  At a little before eleven a Screech Owl in the orchard near our
house called cŭ-cŭ-cŭ-cŭ-cŭ at short intervals for
several minutes.
[margin]Screech Owl[/margin]

  About 20 Barn Swallows, 6 White-bellies, 4 Bank Swallows & two Swifts skimming
close over the river & drinking at sunset.
[margin]Swallows.[/margin]