Middlesex Co., Mass. [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
1875.
April 23 [April 23, 1875] giving this up I made the most elaborate
stalk upon them that I have ever 
attempted, & actually succeeded in crawling
to within 50 yds [delete]of them[/delete] with no other
cover than [delete]the[/delete] a few thin & leafless bushes.
Now their necks went up full stretch,
& taking the only chance I gave them
a charge of No. 3 stopping one which
flapped about on the water awhile &
then crawled feebly up on shore. Going
around to him I got within a few
feet as he sat sleepily nodding on the
mud & was about to pick him up
when to my great disgust he
rose straight up through the trees
and flew off out of sight my gun
missing fire at the critical moment.
While watching this flock was much
amused by their playful antics. Sometimes
one would beat the water with his powerful
wings churning it into foam around him
then another would take it up and
sometimes the whole together, making
a tremendous noise. They spent much
time in cleaning their plumage and
in dozing in the sun. I several times
saw a drake swim rapidly around
his mate (for they were manifestly paired)
in a circle as if paying court to her
affections. Occasionally one would quack
three or four times but never very loudly,
& in rather a hoarser tone than the domestic
Anas. On the way home saw a wild pigeon
sitting in an oak by the roadside
and tying my horse I stalked &