Middlesex Co., Mass. [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
1875
May 25 [May 25, 1875] see that she was perfectly aware of our
presence. As soon as Charles started up
the tree however she launched off and
after a few wheels above us sailed off
over the woods and disappeared. I could
have shot her with ease but forbore to
do so as I had little doubt but that the
nest contained young. Charles however
upon reaching it called down that there
were two eggs and hoisting up my basket
by means of a string he brought them
safely down. Upon blowing them after 
reaching home I was much surprised 
to find them nearly fresh though still
sufficiently incubated to assure one that
they were all that the bird would have 
laid.
  May 27 [May 27, 1875] Clear and still, pretty how at noon but with
cool E. [east] wind in the afternoon. Rose early
and left the place at 6.45 driving directly
up to the Lexington Dam, where I tied
my horse and struck at once into the
woods. Found the 2nd nest of the pair
of crows that I robbed Apr. 27th [April 27, 1875]. I was
about 100 yds from the original site and in 
a small slender pine about 20 ft above the
ground. The old bird flew off upon my
shaking the tree and ascending I found
4 eggs (large embryos) which I took. The old birds
kept circling about overhead out of guns
range and their vociferous cawing
soon summoned a third which joined
in their clamor. Keeping on from this