[Concord, Massachusetts]
1912.
May 17
(No 4)
[May 17, 1912]

Prothonotary Warbler at Ball's Hill

  This Prothonotary had, as I have said, a peculiar song with 
little or nothing of the Sandpiper quality, ordinarily so obvious 
in the song of this species. Until I saw him I did not 
so much as suspect his identity. Besides a song I 
heard several times a chirp, sharp and pelutant [petulant], very like 
that of a Moor Thrush. He was a handsome bird but 
not in really high plumage the yellow of his head and 
breast being less rich and bright than in most males at 
this season. He seemed restless and also shy. Indeed
I did not once get very near him except when I 
first peeped out at him from my cabin door and 
then, of course, I was so well concealed that he 
failed to notice me. Not since 1886 have I seen 
a Prothonotary in Massachusetts although I have 
repeatedly looked for the species along this river 
at the season of migration.