1892
Oct. 7
(No 4)
Concord, Massachusetts.
Mass.
Concord.  As I was approaching the "Minute Man"
on my way home I saw a Bittern standing
leg deep in water quite outside the belt of
sedge near the mouth of the Mill Brook. It
was in beautiful plumage, the prevailing tail
a rich golden brown which made it a most
conspicuous object against the pale background
of bleached wild rice and grasses. It stood
perfectly motionless in an easy attitude, the
neck stretched out, the bill pointing a little
upward, until I was within 20 yards
when it suddenly turned and scuttled back
into the sedge moving in a crouching attitude
very like a Rail & almost as quickly.
[margin]Bittern fishing[/margin]
  After putting up my cover I went back
along the shore but the bird had not come
out of its retreat. Perhaps it was too late
for it to resume fishing (the sun was
setting). When I first saw the bird it was
unquestionably watching for fish.
  As I was Sailing down river at about 3 p.m. 
a bevy of seven Quail rose from the west bank a
few hundred yards below Heath's Bridge and flew
across the river to the woods on the E. bank.
They sprang from the very edge of the water
where the ground was wet & boggy. The spot, moreover,
was surrounded by low, wet marsh covered with
tall uncut meadow grass. It is unusual to see 
Quail in such a place.
[margin]Quail in wet meadow[/margin]