Breeding habits of D. Pennslyvanica [Dendroica pensylvanica]
1875. Middlesex Co., Mass. [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
June 8 [June 8, 1875] another nest with 4 eggs well advanced.
Three of these nests were in barberry bushes
two in hazel, and the remaining one in 
a bush unknown to me. None were
over 4 ft [feet] above the ground. The [female] of
this species sits closer than any bird I
know. I looked at one steadily for
several minutes with my face within 
less than a foot of her: her beautiful
dark eyes returned my glance steadily
enough but the rapidly pulsating
beats of her heart were plainly visible
and betrayed her fear. When started off
the nest they made no boisterous plaint
but with drooping wings and spread 
tail remained within a few yards of
me as if desiring to put in a mute
appeal for mercy. Northern migrants
all gone except Chry. pinus [Chrysomitris pinus] which I
heard again to day. Last D. striata [Dendroica striata]
on the 6th inst. [June 6, 1975].
  June 10 [June 10, 1875] Clear and warm. Rained in torrents all
day yesterday and last night and the news-
papers report a fall of 5 inches. This is the
first rain that we have had for many weeks.
After this morning, struck up into the
swamps and hunted hard for rails
nests but did not find any though I
saw and heard many of the birds.
The water in the swamps was very high
at least 12 inches higher than before the
rain. Found 4 nests of Mel. palustris [Melospiza palustris]
in one little corner of the swamp.