93
Concord, Mass.
1913.
Aug. 26
to
Nov. 13
(No 44)

and indulging in repeated outbursts of abominably loud and
prolonged coc-coc-coc-coc calling, as well as occasional crowing,
before finally settling on their roosts. Sometimes only two or three
came but often there were twice or thrice as many and on October
27 [October 27, 1913] they congregated there to the number of fifteen or twenty,
making the still air resound with their clamor. A male (adult)
that I watched from our house on the 22nd [October 22, 1913] was actively engaged
in the pursuit of grasshoppers in the field across the road. After
starting one he would run after it very swiftly and perhaps
flutter upward a few feet in an attempt to seize it - with what
success I could not make out. On another occasion I saw
two adult males in this field face one another scarce a foot apart
with thrusting gestures, occasionally hitting out with their bills & I
thought, also, spurs, but not apparently with much effect.
There was not nearly so much crowing this autumn as last. Indeed
it was heard on only a very few occasions even in early morning.