Concord, Mass.
1907
April 11
(No 3)
  Early this afternoon I heard, with perfect distinctness
the shrill, thrilling outcry of a Herring Gull. Looking
up I saw the bird soaring in circles over Ball's Hill
but at such an immense height that he looked
scarce larger than a Swallow. From this great
elevation he must have had in sight not only the
greater part of the Concord River valley but Ipswich
Bay and its bordering sand dunes as well.
Herring Gull
  A more unusual visitor, which appeared in
much the same manner as the Gull and shortly
afterward, was a male Sparrow Hawk. As he
circled on motionless wings almost directly over
the crest of the hill I could see his bright reddish
tail distinctly every time he turned its upper
surface towards the sun.
Sparrow Hawk.
  There were Fox Sparrows about the cabin
all day. The greatest number I saw there at
any one time was sixteen. They sang freely
and well but not continuously. I recognized
one bird by his somewhat peculiar song which
I have heard here constantly for three or four
days. It is a remarkably clear, fine song
but so inexpressibly sad that I shall be
glad when he has gone - or I have, which
will be to-morrow. I cannot help thinking
that he must spend his summers in some
exceptionally dreary & lonely place.
Fox Sparrows