Concord, Mass.
1914.
March 17
to
May 31
(No 8)

  Cats of every size and color, coming presumably from nearby
farms, literally swarmed about our house & grounds & in neighboring
woodland, all through the spring months until at length I bought
a little Irish terrier who served to drive many of them off
late in May. One that seemed fearless of the dog and [?]
interested in a pair of Cat-birds nesting in front of the house
fell a victim to my gun towards the close of my stay but I
did not directly molest any of the others save by throwing stones
at them occasionally. As far as I was able to ascertain
they got no birds nor often tried to but spent most of their
time watching the stone walls & beds of meadow grass, presumably
for Squirrels & Mice. Certainly a pair of Song Sparrows hatched
& reared their young this spring, as well as last, in a ground
nest in long grass within a few feet of a foot path traversed
daily by several different Cats. Nevertheless it disturbed my peace
of mind to see so many Cats about, as I have just indicated.