1876. Turdus aliciae last seen
MASS. (Middlesex Co.) [Middlesex County, Massachusetts] Late tarrying of summer species.
Sat. [Saturday]
Oct. 7 [October 7, 1876] Clear and cool with high wind. (Thursday it
rained all day and i did not get out
at all. Friday dark with frequent showers
up 1 P.M. when it cleared up. In P.M.
went up the Assabet river in Richardson's
"birch" taking Miss Fuller & Miss Kettell. Saw
a pair of wild pigeons, and Accipiter Cooperii
several Seiurus noveboracensis, two Ceryle alcyon
and after sundown an immense number
of bats.)
This morning I started off as usual in
my buggy driving down to "Halls".
Hunted very carefully for woodcock but
could not start a feather. Saw large
numbers of small birds including Pipilos [Pipilo erythrophthalmus];
Mimus Car. [Mimus carolinensis]; Vireo sol. [Vireo solitarius] et olivaceous [Vireo olivaceous], Hel.
ruficapilla [Helminthophila ruficapilla], D. maculosa [Dendroica maculosa], D. caerulescens [Dendroica caerulescens]
[male] & [female], and what surprised me somewhat
a fine Turdus Aliciae at which, I had
a good sight. Got back at 11 without any
thing to show for my forenoons work.
Sunday
Oct. 8 [October 8, 1876] Clear and a lovely day. In A.M. went up to
see Nesbitt. In P.M. drove up to Concord
arriving at 6 P.M. Had a very pleasant
drive as the country especially at sunset
was at its loveliest. Near the edge of the
Sandy pond woods I passed a pigeon hawk
which was sitting on the topmost dead branch
of a large chestnut tree. It was apparently
a [female] being a very large individual.