Concord, Mass.
1907
April 4
(no 2)
have at once betrayed its presence had it been
swimming there. I noted the cuckoo call thus:
Cuck-cuck-cuck-cuck, cow, cow, cow: the cuck notes
were exceedingly cuckoo-like but the cow was more
hollow and resonant, as well as much louder, than
any notes that either of our species of Coccyzus ever
utter. The whinney might be rendered he-he-he-he-
he-he, all these notes being on the same key and
delivered very rapidly and evenly, in vibrant, somewhat
nasal tones. This is by no means the first time
that I have seen or heard Pied-billed Grebes near
Ball's Hill in the month of April. Some of the
flooded thickets on the meadows would furnish ideal
building places were the water to remain at the
present level but the birds seem to know that it
is sure to be drawn off before June for they never
linger here more than a few days in succession at
this season.