31
Concord, Mass.
1897
April
No 6.  
  Bonasa umbellus.  Last year three Partridges drummed
regularly through April in my woods, one
on a small barkless log at the north end of
Davis's Swamp, another on a stump on
the north side of the Blackmore Ridge, the
third on the stone wall bordering Holden's Meadow
just north of the eastern extremity of Ball's Hill.
I have seen a cock bird in the last-named
locality almost daily this season but have
heard no drumming there. Both of the other 
stations have been occupied but at neither
has the bird drummed at all regularly or
frequently. I have heard only these two
drummers & doubt if there have been any
others.
  On April 29th as Faxon and I were crossing
Davis's swamp by the little used foot path
a hen Partridge ran a few yards ahead
& flew strongly off whirring loudly. On going
to the pines we found a nest built on the
top of a mound between the stout upright
stems of a large blueberry bush. There were
five eggs all covered so carefully with leaves that
not one could be seen until I moved
the leaves aside with a stick. This nest
was in the swamp itself ([delete] an [/delete] unusual
situation) but not over 30 yds [yards] from
the spot on the crest of the swamp ridge
where I found & photographed a nest with
9 eggs two years ago. I have no doubt
it belongs to the same bird. It is over 200 yds.
from the drumming log.