Concord, Mass.
1896
October 24
(No 2)
on the calm river within less than twenty yards
of where I lay concealed. I watched him for
several minutes more as he swung slowly around
pruning his beautiful plumage and drifting
slowly down stream with the sluggish current.
Then I fired, killing him instantly with a
charge of #8. When I reached him by means of the
canoe a few minutes later I looked at him a long
time before touching him, admiring his rich, varied
coloring, half enjoying half regretting my success,
wondering where he had come and speculating
as to what his chances of living to another summer
would have been had I spared his life. Then
taking him by the bill I drew him over the water.
The result surprised me. There was almost no
perceptible resistance. A fluff of thistle down
could scarce have been moved more easily. Here,
evidently, was a faultless model. I could not help
wondering why Ducks do not swim faster.
  Passing Ball's Hill I landed at Birch Island and
walked to the Manor field. While standing in the
middle of the dense oak woods between this field
& the river I saw a large bird which I took at first
for a Jay chasing a Warbler through the tree tops.
Back & forth they went passing directly over me
several times. The Warbler seemed to be annoyed
rather than frightened & his pursuer did not appear
to exert himself. Indeed during much of the time
he seemed to be losing rather than gaining ground
but he kept steadily after the Warbler following