1892.
Aug. 15
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord. Clear and rather cool with brisk N.W. wind. 

  Early in the morning I heard Song Sparrows singing vigorously but
at wide intervals. After 9 a.m. there was literally no sound from
them or other birds during the entire forenoon, nothing in fact
save the z ing monotone of innumerable grasshoppers and the
chirping of the crickets. As there was nothing in the weather conditions
to account for this unusual silence it is evident that yesterday
was literally the end of the singing season of the birds about
our house for this is the first [delete]forenoon[/delete] morning when the Warbling Vireo
and the Chipping and Song Sparrows have not sung at short
intervals during the greater part of the forenoon.
[margin]End of the
singing season[/margin]
  Judging by the experience of this season I conclude that
[delete]fal[/delete] the midsummer silence falls first on the woodlands and
thicket-bordered fields and lanes, next on the gardens and
orchards, and last on the river meadows where the Short-billed
Marsh Wrens at least may be counted on to sing for a week or more longer.
Perhaps the Goldfinch should be similarly credited to the fields
and orchards but he is not common here and curiously enough
the few individuals that I have seen of late have not sung at all
[margin]Woodland birds
cease singing
first, those of
gardens & orchards
next, those of
river meadows & thickets last.[/margin]

  The Quail has been wholly silent for a week or more past.
I am surprised at this for I had an impression that his
"bot-white" was usually heard through this entire month.
[margin]Quail[/margin]

  To Ball's Hill with C. at 2.30 P.M. Did not hear a single bird
singing, either along the river or in my woods which we traversed
from end to end. Saw a Water Thrush (noveboracensis) under the
maples at Dakin's bend. and a Carolina Dove flying over
Ball's Hill. A large flock (about 40) [of] Bobolinks came in over
Great Meadows at sunset. Many Warblers migrating after dark.