Concord, Mass.
1910.
April 20
(No 2)
[April 20, 1910]
  Clear & warm with fresh S.W. [Southwest] wind.

Bitterns

  I came to Concord late this afternoon provided 
with a gun and prepared to shoot a Bittern if I
could but find one showing white ruffs. Three males
were pumping at 6 P.M. & later, one in Parker's meadow
below the cabin, one near the middle of Great Meadow, 
the third was at the edge of the river in the marsh
directly opposite Bensen's landing and was accompanied 
by a smaller, duller-plumaged bird which, without doubt,
was a female & his mate. I watched the pair for more
than half an hour. Although the male pumped at frequent
intervals he showed no trace of the white ruffs. During
most of the time the female was within twenty yards
of him and for ten or fifteen minutes within three yards.
He invariably faced her and she him when he
was pumping but neither bird showed any trace