29
Concord, Mass.
1897 
April
No 4
  Corvus americanus. - During the latter half of this month
the crows in this region about Ball's Hill
have been exceedingly loquacious making all
the various sounds which I have heard from
them in former years and in addition
a peculiar succession of low whining and
mewing cries which are quite new to me. At
times their cries resembled those of young
kittens, at others of children talking & laughing
in low tones. I have heard them very many times
& in different places, always when two birds
were together, once when a pair was engaged
in copulation (April 30th) in the top of a low
pine on Davis's. Apparently, therefore, they
are love notes. They are often followed by a succession
of husky caws.
  Sayornis phoebe. Every year since my log cabin was built
a Phoebe has hung about it in early spring
as if thinking of building there. This year
I found him there on my arrival March 31
and up to April 23rd he sang regularly every
morning in the oaks over my door and during
the day hunted his insect prey from various
perches along the river bank near at hand. On
April 8th he was accompanied for the first time
by a mate and after this date the two birds
were constantly together but they were last
seen on the 23rd, at least near the cabin.
I cannot understand why they will not nest
there for there are many admirable places on
the rough logs under my eaves.