Concord, Mass.
1900
May 4
  Clear with cool, strong N.W. wind. Ther: 52 degrees at 7 A.M.
  Returned to Concord this morning with Gilbert. As we
were walking from the West Bedford station to the boat
we saw a male Sparrow Hawk. It apparently started from
an oak on the edge of the meadow. As it passed nearly
over us, circling and poising, I saw its red tail distinctly.
A Purple Martin accompanied it for some distance
flying literally by its side.
Sparrow Hawk
  I found Petersen awaiting me with the horse and 
drove directly to the farm where I spent the greater
part of the day in the woods near the red pines
which we cleared of crowding birches & other trees as
well as cutting a wood road. Saw two silent Wilson's 
Thrushes and heard a Solitary Vireo singing. Black & White
Creepers were numerous everywhere. Four swifts passed over
the house but no bird of any kind sang near it while
I was there. This total silence was caused no doubt by
the high & rather chilly N.W. wind.
Birds at
the Farm.
  The wind had fallen when I started to walk back 
to the cabin. A Robin was singing in the birch field
and a male Towhee searching among the dry leaves that 
had drifted against a stone wall. When I reached
Ball's Hill Red-wings were singing all over the meadows,
A Brown Thrasher was pouring out his loud musical 
notes over the West Bedford Shore & a King bird passed 
overhead calling. At least fifty Swifts were careening over
the E. end of Ball's Hill and a swarm of Eave, Barn
and Bank Swallows were coursing over Holden's Meadow. I
also saw a Yellow rump & a Yellow Palm Warbler in
Walk from 
Farm to cabin.
51                        