Concord, Mass.
(Ball's Hill)
1900.
April 22
  Cloudy with stormy N.E. wind after 9 A.M. and                   
showers of fine misty rain at frequent intervals. Ther. - 47 degrees - 59 degrees
  The early morning singing was prolonged through
most of the forenoon. In addition to the usual common
birds which I have been noting of late were Swamp
Sparrows of which I heard three or four in the thickets
along the river and in the swamp behind Ball's Hill.
They must have arrived last night as I have heard
none before this. The only other arrival was the
Bank Swallow whose unmistakeable chattering cry
I heard several times during the day. In the
forenoon a Ruby-crowned Kinglet came close about
the cabin and sang exquisitely.
Early morning
singing.
Swamp Sparrows
arrive & sing
Bank Swallows
arrive.
  I heard Snipe drumming at intervals through
the day both opposite the cabin and over the
meadows below Davis's Hill. 
Snipe drum
at intervals
through day.
  Swarms of Swallows were skimming all day low
over the Great Meadow. There must have been several
hundreds, the greater number Tree Swallows, no doubt,
although I did not get near enough to them
to make sure of this. I heard one Martin among them.
Swallows in
swarms over
meadows.
  As Gilbert and I were standing directly in
front of the cabin just after breakfast we saw
a large bird flying swiftly towards us along the 
path. I took it for a Hawk at first but as 
it came nearer saw that it was a Partridge. It
passed directly over us within six feet and
slowing suddenly on discovering our presence struck 
the twigs of a birch so violently as to cause the
whole branch to shake. It then turned into the woods.
Partridge
flies past cabin
37