265
Concord, Mass.
1898
October 5
  Cloudy with heavy rain all day.
  Drove to W. Bedford in the forenoon, to
the Barrett farm in the afternoon. Many large
flocks of Sparrows seen rising from the
roadsides but only Chipping and Song Sparrows
certainly distinguished. Two or three flocks
of Robins in pastures. A flock of six
Bluebirds over the Morgan's house.
" [October] 6
  A brilliantly clear and rather cool day with
fresh N. wind.
  Meadow Larks & a Song Sparrow singing at sunrise.
The Song Sparrow kept it up steadily until nearly
eight o'clock. It was delightful to hear his sweet,
cheerful voice coming in at the window at
short regular intervals. I do not remember to have
heard Song Sparrows sing in this way in autumn before.
[margin]Song Sparrow
in full song[/margin]
  On my way down river this morning I started a
Bittern at Hunts Pond and saw two Great Blue
Herons flying together over Great Meadow. As I
was nearing Ball's Hill a flock of five Black Ducks
passed high over it. A sportsman was beating the
Snipe ground & I heard him fire six shots in all.
  A Cat-bird, a Black-poll Warbler, a Yellow rump,
A Downy Woodpecker & seven Jays & Chickadees
were seen near the cabin. Started a large flock
of Chippies in Benson's field.