1892
Sept. 7
(No 2)
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord.- the bird drummed again very near me and
then flew about low down over the meadow making its
course by a succession of scaipes. The "drumming" was
precisely like that produced by this bird in spring.
I have never heard it in autumn before and know of
only one instance (communicated to me by Faxon who
heard a Snipe drum in the early evening last September
on Rock Meadows) where it has been noted by others.

  As daylight strengthened Bobolinks began chinking and
I heard them at frequent intervals until the sun rose
but not afterwards. One and all seemed to be moving
southward at a considerable height.
[margin]Flight of
Bobolinks at
daybreak.[/margin]

  Shortly after sunrise I fell asleep and it was 7 A.M.
when I again awoke and stepped from my cramped
quarters out into the air and sunshine. It was a
truly glorious morning, not the least speck of cloud
visible in the tender blue dome overhead, the air as
clear as possible, the sunshine bright and warm, every
leaf and blade of grass frosted with big dew drops.

  A Canada Nuthatch, the first that I have noted this
season, was gleaning its breakfast among the cones of
a pitch pine on the hill side above me and every now
and then uttering its prolonged nasal whining as if
expressing discontent at the quality or quantity of its food.
[margin]Canada Nuthatch[/margin]

  For three weeks or more small birds have been very
scarce both as regards species and individuals. As nearly
as I could make out the region has been gradually
[margin]Fall migrations[/margin]