Concord, Mass
1899.                                                                                                                                                       
May 12
(No. 3)            
before he began snapping his bill. During the snapping
his throat was puffed out and drawn in very like a Frog's.
When pumping he threw his head forward & back but not
at all forcibly. I could not see his breast. When not pumping
or snapping he stood erect and still his bill pointing upward
at an angle of about 45 [degrees]. [illus] Early in the afternoon
I heard a deep, low croaking sound and running 
out saw three Bitterns flying low over the rim past the cabin
in company. They turned and went off over the woods
on the W. Bedford side of the rim. As a rule the Bittern
flies with head & neck extended but three birds had their 
heads drawn in like Night Herons. (cf. note made April 25th)
74