Lake Umbagog.
1909
June 8 [June 8, 1909]
(No 3)
the food thus obtained was taken to the young in the nests on the
island but the greater part was devoured by the old
birds soon after they reached the nearest shore.
Bronzed
Grackles
  One brood of young left the nest to-day and were
fluttering about in the trees on the island although they
did not look much more than one-half grown.
Thrice during the day I saw almost the entire
colony of grackles pursuing a Broad winged Hawk
across the lake streaming out behind him like the
tail of a comet. This was done without the least
provocation on the part of the Hawk who was
merely flying sluggishly from shore to shore and did
not even pass near the island. On one occasion a
dozen or more Grackles chased the Hawk into some dense
spruce woods. I saw them mob a Crow in a similar
manner. Thrice they, in turn, were pursued by indignant
Robins. Towards evening I noticed a Grackle who
seemed much interested in the Eave Swallow colony.
He alighted on the roof of the boat house and remained
there for fully five minutes perched on the edge of the
roof whence he kept trying to peer in under the eaves where
there were several nests. The Swallows showed no alarm
at his presence. At length he flew quietly away. I have
little doubt that he, with most of his brethren, is an
arrant nest robber.
They mob
Broad wing
Hawks
They are
mobbed by
Robins.
One of them
inspects an
Eave Swallow's
nest.
  Broad-winged Hawks are abundant here this spring.
I saw at least half a dozen to-day. Two were perched
low over the water on the shores of the lake, evidently
watching for spawning Toads. They were very tame & I got
within less than 15 yards in my canoe. When they started to
fly they made a loud fluttering sound with their wings.
Broad wing
Hawks.