1891
Sept. 7
(No 7)
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord. across the glowing sky - a deep earnestness of
purpose and untold reserve energy and determination in the mien
of that dusky squadron with its broad front and evenly
spaced double ranks.
  Just as the moon was rising a Screech Owl began wailing 
on the farther side of the river opposite my cabin. As
nearly as I could judge the bird was somewhere in
the marsh probably perched on some stake left by
fishermen or being markers.
[margin]Screech Owl[/margin]
  Directly night had fairly fallen the air became filled 
with small migrating birds whose lisping and chirping
calls to one another were practically incessant. At first
I heard only the notes of Warblers, & perhaps Sparrows also,
but after ten o'clock the cries of thrushes were numerous
& frequent. There was no abatement of these sounds up
to the time I went to sleep but late in the night
I awoke repeatedly and listened in vain for any
bird voices. These facts taken in connection with my
experience next day indicate clearly enough that the
big bird wave which descended on this region this
morning resumed its onward sweep to-night as soon
as the light faded from the west and that it
was not followed by any considerable  movement. It
was certainly an unusually well-defined and extensive
"rush" for its passage to-night occupied at least four
hours & probably much longer. Yet it had wholly ceased
long before daybreak. The night was still, clear, and
comparatively very warm up to midnight but chilly
towards daybreak.
[margin]Great bird wave moves on at night fall[/margin]