Concord, Mass.
1910
April 18
(No 7)
[April 18, 1910]

Bitterns

extending between the shoulders quite across
the back. Thus whichever way he moved or faced
the white was always showing. Most conspicuously 
however, when he turned towards us. It was
not ever dull or faint or even yellowish, whether
seen in bright sunlight, as on the morning of
the 17th, or under dark lowering skies, as
on the afternoon of the 18th. On the contrary
at all times and under all conditions when
we saw it at all it appeared to be pure
white. When the bird was rambling through the
short, rich green grass or over blackish mud, at a
distance of two hundred yards or more, the
white was often the only thing we could see. It
made an odd impression on the mind as it
moved about without visable [visible] means of propulsion