Pandion Car. [Pandion carolinensis], Spiz. socialis [Spizella socialis], Mel. palustris [Melospiza palustris]
1875. Middlesex Co., Mass. [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
April 10 - 1875. [April 10, 1875]
April 8 [April 8, 1875] all four barrels at a Buteo borealis which
came up within long range. Saw
three Mergus Am. [Mergus americanus] about sixty Anas
obscura, a dozen Bucephala Am. [Bucephala americana],
and a large flock of teal (sp. [species] unrecognized)
After eating lunch it commenced snowing
and we started back against a fierce
gale of sleet and snow and after a
hard two hours we reached town
again. On the way up saw several
large flocks of black ducks sitting
on an elevated portion of the meadow.
As we approached they would stand
nearly erect with necks stretched up;
among them was a very light colored
bird of equal size which I think was
a [female] mallard. Spent the P.M. in the
Court house with Jim and others and
took the last train home. Saw a flock of B. Can. [Bernicla canadensis]
  Apr. 10 [April 10, 1875] Clear and a fine day. Wind W. [west] Ther. [Thermometer] 60 [degrees] at noon.
Off after breakfast with Messrs. Reid, Barstow
and Frothingham. Started two snipe in the
brickyard meadows one of which B. [Barstow] shot.
I think they are the same birds that I
saw on the 2nd inst. [April 2, 1875] Beat all the Belmont
meadows but found nothing. Arrivals
were Pandion Car. [Pandion carolinensis] 1; Mel. palustris [Melospiza palustris]
several [males]; Spizella socialis 1 [male] singing.
Reached the house by noon. The
snow is almost entirely gone only
a few wasted drifts remaining in
sheltered places. The frost is said to
be entirely out on the upland but the meadows
yet remain hard in many places. Heard 1 Hyla