Concord, Mass.
1902.
Oct. 15
  Brilliantly clear with fresh west wind. Very cool in
the early morning.
  On my way to the Farm this morning I heard
Bluebirds & Yellow-rumps at frequent intervals. In Birch
Field I came upon a little party of three Yellow Palm
Warblers. Two White-throated Sparrows were near them
among the gray birches. In the oak woods beyond this
field I found a flock of Chickadees accompanied by
a White-bellied Nuthatch. I heard another Nuthatch of
the same species at the same moment calling in the
distance and also in the same direction a Red-bellied
Nuthatch. The latter was, I think, in the oaks in
the rear of the old barn.
  About 10 A.M. an Osprey passed over the orchard
at a considerable height scaling on set wings towards
the south-west.
  On my return to Ball's Hill just before sunset I
found about fifty (I counted forty-eight) Robins running
about over the turf in Bensen's pasture. As I was watching
them a flock of eighteen Cow-birds passed me, quickly
followed by two flocks of Rusty Blackbirds. All these
were flying in the direction of the roost at Beaver Dam.
  Gilbert had a remarkable experience with a small Hawk
which, from his description, I judge to have been a male
Sharp-shin. It was standing in the middle of the path
near the cabin with its wings half spread, their tips touching the
ground. The tail widely spread also rested on the ground. It
held a Robin in its talons. When it rose Gilbert chased it &
it dropped the Robin which flew off strongly out of sight
apparently unhurt. The Hawk lingered near the cabin for some time.
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