MASS. (Middlesex Co.) [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
1875.
Nov. 12 [November 12, 1875] Clear, still, and a lovely day. Jim M. [James C. Melvin]
came out at 2 P.M. and we started
immediately in my buggy for Belmont.
Put up the horse at Brown's and
commenced our beat in the run behind
Cotton's. The first bird started was
a grouse which Jim killed very
prettily. Next old Dart found and
pointed but Jim's dog coming up,
he broke his point and ran in
on a large bevy of quail, at least 20
strong. They flew a very long distance
and began to whistle almost as
soon as they lit. Following them
up we found two single birds
and shot one of them both firing
at the same bird. At the report
of our guns the rest of the bevy, which
had by this time run together, rose
ahead of us at least 100 yds. [yards] and
went off unshot at. Afterwards started
another scattered bird and I shot
him. Flushed seven grouse altogether
and three of them from alongside a
long line of snares. Over these same
snares was posted a notice threatening
murderous violence to any person
who should molest them in
any way. Left these quail and
went in search of another bevy
but did not succeed in starting
anything more, excepting a rabbit
which I shot. Reached home by
6 P.M. W.B. [William Brewster] quail 2 (-1/2) rabbit 1
J.C.M. [James C. Melvin] grouse 1 - quail 1 (-1/2)