50

1916

76. Rusty Blackbird. Noted only thrice this spring in the neighborhood of
our Farm where four birds were seen flying, together, S.W. [southwest], on April 12 [April 12, 1916], and
five in an elm on the 18th [April 18, 1916] while one was heard on May 7 [May 7, 1916]. Nor did they 
occur much more commonly about Concord village, according to Mr. Dexter who,
however, met with a flock of fifteen near Flint's Bridge on April 17 [April 17, 1916].

77. Bronzed Grackle. Two birds flying over our orchard on April 17 [April 17, 1916], three on
May 2 [May 2, 1916] & one on the 21st [May 21, 1916] represent all noted in that locality the present
season. They probably came from the river marshes near Carlisle Bridge where
I saw several of them, flitting to and fro, whenever we went that way in
May & June, while motoring to & from Cambridge. Further down the river,
near Mr. Pitman's house, at least two or three pairs were noted among
white pines on June 4 [June 4, 1916]. The breeding colonies in & about Concord village
were frequented by the usual number of Grackles, apparently.

78. Common Crow. No flights of north-bound migrants noted. Doubtless
they had passed before I reached Concord. Our local-breeding birds seemed
somewhat less numerous than usual. I seldom saw or heard more than
half a dozen in the course of a single day. One June 15 [June 15, 1916], however, upwards
of twenty collected on the crest of a wooded ridge near the river, mobbing 
something with prolongued [prolonged] din of protesting voices among which could
be distinguished that of the bird who habitually, if not invariably, says
caw, care, accenting the second syllable very strongly. He was heard
not infrequently during the entire spring, often near our farm house.
Late in May Crows made stealthy visits to our orchard not long 
after day break, presumably in quest of unfledged young Robins, many of
which disappeared from the nests at that time. They also watched our
newly-hatched with obvious evil intent but could not get at them
because of overhead wire netting. On the evening of June 29 [June 29, 1916] I
disturbed a dozen or more Crows which had evidently collected to roost
in the tops of large, dark-foliaged forest trees on Holden's Hill