1892. 
Mass , 
Aug, 22 
( 110 . 2 ) 
Concord,- At 3 P,M, I started for Ball's Hill with C. We had 
just reached the foot of the slope between the Buttrich's house 
and the river when there was a sudden shrill outcry of bifcrd 
voices in the big willow by ray boat house and the next instant 
a Robin appeared closely pursued by a Sharp_shinned Hawh. The 
Robin, a young bird still in the spechled plumage but with fully 
developed wings and tail flew very slowly and when within ten 
or twelve feet of us (for the chase led directly toward us) its 
wings seemed to fail it altogether and it fluttered feebly down 
to the ground uttering a shrill, squeaking cry and evidently/ 
fairly overcome with terror. The Hawk, a large female and also 
a yo\ing bird as I could see quite plainly, scaled on set wings 
with tail wide spread and although it did not seem to move at 
all swiftly it made at least two feet to the Robin's one and was 
within a yard of its victim when the latter sought the earth. 
Undeterred by my shouts or by the canoe cushion which I flung 
at it it pounced on its prey without a moment's hesitation. I 
could not see exactly, what ensued for both birds were hidden 
somewhat by the grass but there was the usual agonized screaming 
on the part of the poor victim, and when I reached the spot the 
HaY/k rose literally at my feet with the Robin clutched firmly in 
both feet and started off flapping heavily. He went only a few 
Sharp 
shinned 
Hawk 
catches 
a, Robin. 
rods before coming to the ground again, once more among thick 
grass. I followed and flushed him directly under foot a second 
