CONCORD. 
1892 
Aplft. 4 
Purple Finches were singing this morning in the 
direction of the Manse and Grass Finches in the orchard. 
or 
Robins singing fitfully, Bluebirds and Song Sparrows 
vigorously r[ 
At 10 A.M. I started for Ball's Hill by boat. 
As I was paddling down the swift reach near "the tent" I 
saw a Shrike, a fine old gray bird, sitting on a maple 
sapling. As I approached he took wing and flying very 
swiftly down to the ground dashed into a clump of maples 
driving out a Song Sparrow which started across the river. 
The Shrike overtook this Sparrow about mid-stream when 
Shrike 
the Sparrow dodged several times, eluding its pursuer each 
cha.se s and 
time with apparent ease. As it neared the thicket of wil- 
knocks down 
lows for which it was making, however, it kept a perfectly 
a Sparrow 
• 
straight course when the Shrike again ove^ifliauling it rose 
a little above it and dealt it a vicious downward blow 
wither on the head or back, I could not tell which, knockixg 
it down four or five feet into the water. It immediately 
fluttered clear of the surface, however, and before the 
Shrike could check its speed and turn back the Sparrow 
skimmed in under the willows and disappeared. The Shrike 
followed and perching only a few feet above the ground 
was on the watch for the reappearance of its prey when I 
approached too closely and scared it away. 
