1902.
May 11
(No 3)
  While passing though the opening between Ball's &
Davis's Hills we saw (at 2 P.M.) a female Black & White
Creeper tearing bark from a grape vine. After she had
obtained as much as she could carry in her bill she
flew with it to the ground at the base of a cluster
of birches where, no doubt, she has begun a nest.
Mniotilta nest building.
  The Phoebee's nest in the horse shed at Ball's Hill
had five eggs today but the bird has apparently not
as yet begun sitting.
  Early this afternoon we found an immature male Purple Finch
in the birches on Birch Island and later heard another
among red cedars near the Barrett Springs. Both were
singing rather freely & well. I have noted the species
before this season but once - on March 22. It is evidently
fast disappearing from the Ball's Hill region.
  At evening we went to Beaver Dam Meadow. The
wind had lulled and there was a young moon high
in the star-lit sky. After the Bittern ceased pumping
a Virginia Rail began her cutta-cutta cry. A Green Heron
flew about us calling scow. Only a few Hylas
& Leopard Frogs were calling. When it had become
nearly dark two Wilson's Snipes rose from the marsh
across the river scarping. I was hoping that one
of them would drum when suddenly the weird,
tremulous, thrilling sound came distinctly to our
ears. We heard it only once but I was satisfied at that
for I had supposed I should have to miss it this year.
73