Concord, Mass.
1896
April 25
[April 25, 1896]

  Clear and cool with strong S.E. [Southeast] wind.
  To Ball's Hill as usual sailing part of the way down
and the entire distance back in the afternoon.
  At about 10 a.m. two gunners began firing on the
Snipe ground. Within the next two hours I heard at
least twenty shots. I watched them for a while with
my glass and saw them pick up one bird. During
much of the time they were tramping about among the
bushes where my Bittern lives. I trembled for his
safety but as I was sailing homeward at evening he
began pumping in the usual place.
  I saw little of interest to-day save a pair of Black Ducks
flying over the Great Meadows. My Grebe did not
show himself but perhaps this was because of the strong
wind and rough water. There were no migrants in
the Ball's Hill woods save one Ruby-crown [Ruby-crowned Kinglet].
  The [female] Nuthatch was in her hole in the elm at North Bridge
this morning looking out. Every minute or two the male
brought her a morsel of food which she at once accepted
& ate.
  At evening I saw a Phoebe fly in under the bridge. As
I passed beneath it I stopped & looking up discovered
a nest apparently finished with the bird's head showing
above the rim. The nest was attached to the upper edge
of a rafter directly under the planking.