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CARLYLE, MASSACHUSETTS. 
1876 
May 3 
Nest 
of the 
Woodcock 
Spent the forenoon mounting birds, and took the 
4.15 P.M. train for Concord, where I met Jim by appointment 
and drove up to Mr. Robbins* in Carlyle to see a woodcock’s 
nest. Arriving a little before sunset Mr. R.’s eldest son 
conducted us to the nest. When we got within ten yards of 
it we stopped, and our guide pointed out the sitting bird 
which we could distinctly see. Approaching slowly and keeping 
Jim’s pointer at heel, we got within arm’s length of the 
nest without disturbing the bird, and squatting down in a 
semi-circle about her we feasted our eyes for full fifteen 
minutes on the interesting sight. Interesting’. Nay, more 
than interesting. A very page of Nature’s romance it was — 
the beautifully marbled bird sitting quietly on her treasures 
within a few feet of her most deadly enemy, man; to say 
nothing of the keen-scented, staunch pointer that had been 
instrumental in bringing low so many of her kindred. But 
there the brown bird sat, apparently as impassive as if 
carved from stone; but no, the extreme composure did but con- 
ceal the wildly beating haart within,whose rapid pulsations 
were betrayed by a slight, almost imperceptible corresponding 
movement of the tail and back, a heart filled with dread at 
the fearful danger but a heart withal so brave that rather 
than betray the parent's trust it was prepared to hazard 
sr 
