Middlesex Co., Mass.
1874
known them to before. Shot behaved well as
usual and on one occasion had just
picked up a dead quail when a grouse
started by N. [Robert Nesbitt] came by me. I shot it
and the pup charged close at the report
still holding the quail in his mouth
and when told to "hold up" drew to 
fine point on the dead grouse without 
dropping his quail. Saw large numbers of
Pinicola enucleator and took 2 
fine adult [male]. At the report of a gun
the whole flock scatters in all directions
each bird diving and whirling about.
After all becomes quiet again one of 
them sets up his whistling call from
some tree top and in a few minutes
the others appear and the flock is
soon collected together again. Much
to my surprise I found Aegiothus
linaria quite abundant everywhere 
among the birches and in large
flocks. I have not seen them before
for at least a month & do not think
that they can now be found in this
neighborhood (Cambridge & vicinity).
Heard also Trog. hyemalis [Troglodytes hyemalis]. Reached home
by 6 P.M. well pleased with one days
hunt. Bag W.B. [William Brewster] grouse 3 quail 3.
R.N. [Robert Nesbitt] grouse 3 quail 1.
  Dec. 10 [December 10, 1874] Clear mild & a fine day. Off after
breakfast for small birds, taking the
Coolidge farm. Shot a fine [male] Pinicola en. [Pinicola enucleator]
adlt [adult], a Sitta Car. [Sitta carolinensis] [female] (for mounting)