Agelaeus -phoeniceus . 
1892. Mass . 
July I 9. Concord. -three or four to seven or eight, never more than a Roost. 
(NO. 2) dozen or fifteen. They came from every direction and as a rule 
flew at a great height (300 to 800 or even 1000 feet) until 
they were directly above the roost when, setting their wings, 
they shot down almost perpendicularly with great swiftness, each 
bird acting independently of its companions during its descent 
and many describing most beautiful curves, while others simply 
dropped as straight , nearly, as so many falling stones. There 
was no preliminary circling to reconnoitre the ground. When a 
yard or two above the grass the wings were beaten forcibly to 
chech the speed and the bird disappeared in the grass. 
After the flight had nearly ceased I struch the water with 
my paddle and instantly, with a perfect roar of wings, at least 
six hundred birds rose into the air. Only a few returned the 
greater number breahingup into parties of from fifty to one 
hundred birds each and seeking other resting places. As on the 
1 5 th there were Barn and Bank Swallows flying about ore^r this 
roost but I saw none actually alight there. 
