MASS. (Middlesex Co.) [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
1875
Aug. 17 [August 17, 1875] latter bird but I was not yet certain. The
zip, zip of T. Bonapartii [Tringa Bonapartii] is peculiar and
unmistakable. Saw a single Strepsilas interpres
its cry is a single short rattle of four or
five notes run together. Took dinner at the
Sea View house and returned on the 5.45 boat
Swallows of all five species (also the chimney
swifts) literally swarmed on the island.
  Aug. 24 [August 24, 1875] Clear and cool with N. [north] wind. The "dog days" came
to an end yesterday when we had the first
really cool day since this month came in.
This morning I took a turn up to the swamps
and returned at noon with a few birds, among
them a Gambetta flavips which I shot in
the pond hole near Mc.Carthy's. In the maple
swamp shot a water thrush and a beautiful
little jumping mouse. Dendroica aestiva left
the swamps 4 or 5 days ago but I saw one
in our linden trees this morning (Aug. 25 [August 25, 1875]). E.
minimus [Empidonax minimus] also left about the same time though
I secured a single straggler this morning in
full fall plumage. These two species are
the only ones that I am sure are gone as
yet. Contopus virens is abundant and they
sing nearly as much now as in June. All the
birds in fact sing more now than they did
a month ago: the orioles especially are quite
noisy and the young males perform nearly
as well as the adult birds. Have seen no
hummers for a week past. Actiturus Bartramius
I hear over our place nearly every morning.
Have seen no Ardetta exilis for a long time
and I do not think there is a rail left in