Swallows playing with feathers
MAINE, (L. Umbagog. [Umbagog Lake, Maine]) Hel. peregrina [Helminthophila peregrina] gen. ar. [general arrival]
Pyranga rubra  Loxia Am. [Loxia americana] Peresoreus Can. [Perisoreus canadensis]
1876
(June 5 [June 5, 1876]) it was so roofed one by the natural
disposition of the low bushes that I
somewhat doubt the birds ability to
rise through them & this may have accounted
for her unwillingness to do so. She had
evidently entered her bower by stooping
under the the interlacement of twigs.
Came suddenly upon an Ardea herodias
which gave me a good flying shot & I
doubled him handsomely. He was not
in very fine plumage. I noticed that
the swallows (H. bicolor [Hirundo bicolor]) came trooping
to the spot where he fell and went to
playing with the feathers that were
floating on the surface. Visited the H. bicolor's [Hirundo bicolor]
nest found Friday (and ripped open)
and found the [female] sitting on 5 eggs.
Harrington came in with a Hel. peregrina [Helminthophila peregrina]
I heard a number & there was evidently
a general arrival to day. Stone shot
a   Peresoreus Can. [Perisoreus canadensis] and saw a flock of 
six or seven. He also saw a [female] Ectopistes.
In P.M. I went out on the lake again
and paddled up to Brown's clearing
sailing back. Found a nest of the H. bicolor [Hirundo bicolor]
with 3 eggs and shot a Contopus borealis
Found also a nest of Colaptes in an old
hole while in the very next tree was a
neatly bored new one. The [male] was sitting
and came out at my thumping, but I 
could not reach the nest. Coming back
I heard two Bubo Virginianus hooting
at frequent intervals near Stones & answering one 
another. This was at 5.30 P.M. with
the sun shining high. Saw also several