143
Concord, Mass.
1898
June 23
  A rare day, clear and cool with light W. wind.
  Spent the forenoon near Ball's Hill. In the afternoon
crossed the river and visited Parker's where I found a small
colony of Eave Swallows. There were seven nests on the E. side
of the barn. Parker says that he counted 78 three years
ago but last year during the continued heavy rains of early
June most of the nests fell down & the birds left.
  As I walked up through the old orchard a Bluebird was
singing loudly & steadily (later in the afternoon I heard
another beyond Brown's).
  At 4 P.M. I started for Mrs. Barrett's. The sun was
very hot as I crossed the fields but in the shade of the
woods the temperature was delightful. Heard two Phoebes
in full song & was shown a nest in Mrs. Barrett's shed
from which the young had lately flown.
  Shortly after sunset a Wood Thrush began giving the sharp
challenging call in some trees over the road near the house.
This is the nearest to Ball's Hill that I have ever heard the
bird in the breeding season but it is even nearer the Lime Kiln
where it breeds commonly enough.
  It was eight o'clock when I left Mrs. Barrett's & started
to walk home. Two Whippoorwills were singing to the westward
& I afterwards heard a third in the usual place over
Brown's.
  As I was passing the oak woods near Bensen's landing a
superb Luna Moth came flying down past me. Its course was
very erratic. It looked very large & I could distinctly
make out its shape although the night was dark.