Falco anatum
MASS. (Middlesex Co.) [Middlesex County, Massachusetts]
1877.
(Sept. 13 [September 13, 1877] downward. Associated with the
Swifts were two Hirundo horreorum the last of the season.
S
Sept 23 [September 23, 1877] While sitting of Mr. Nesbitts piazza
in Cambridge this morning a fine
Falco anatum appeared and
skimmed swiftly past within thirty
yards of us. Passing over an open
field, where some white hens were
feeding it stooped four successive 
times at [delete]them[/delete] different birds
falling from a height of about
thirty feet in an irregular spiral
Each time it protruded its 
talons as it neared its victim
but each time it missed its
aim and with a superb wheel
rose again to its former elevation.
It seemed to me to be simply
playing - sweeping down from
sheer wantonness, as I could
see nothing to prevent its seizing
its game had it so wished.
The hens in every case seemed
badly frightened and fluttered
off in frantic haste. During the
whole time that it was in sight
I did not see it flap once all
its motions though rapid being
simply easy gliding turns.
It was a small bird; I should
think a male and looked very
dark brown in color.