Lake Umbagog.
1909.
June 7 [June 7, 1909]
  Clear & cool with fresh N. wind; a glorious day.
  About 2 P.M. a Duck Hawk appeared high in air
a little to the southward of where our boat is anchored and
nearly over the Peaslee farm. After soaring in circles for
a few minutes he sped off out of sight towards the
south cast on rapidly vibrating pinions. His wings looked
very long, narrow and sharp-pointed, his general coloring very
dark - almost black in some lights. I know of no bird of
prey found in New England that can compare with this
superb Falcon in grace, ease and swiftness of flight or in
perfection of outline when seen against the sky.
Duck Hawk
  I have already noted the little colony of Bronzed Grackles
that have young in the balsams on my island. There are several
other pairs, I find, nesting in the tall which pairs that shade
the little red schoolhouse. Yesterday, & again to-day, I saw
Robins, chasing some of the Grackles with loud, excited
cries and no doubt not without good reason. The Grackles
prowl about everywhere in search of food. Spending much
time walking on floating logs and driftwood about the shores
of the lake. Yesterday I saw a female fly in under the
old Abbott Mill and remain there for two or three minutes
searching among some half submerged slabs probably for frogs
or minnows.
  Early this forenoon I heard the wild screaming notes of
a Red-shouldered Hawk just behind the Lake House. A
moment later the bird rose above the trees on the wooded
knoll & soared in circles. It looked like a male.
Red-shouldered
Hawk