heard everywhere in the woods and 
meadows. I saw eleven of them in a 
a piece of woods on Fir Neck, Crom¬ 
well, among the oak trees, saw several 
with acorns in their bills. Notes re¬ 
sembles that of a tree frog. Several 
wintered here and bred here the follow- 
lowing summer, but they have disap¬ 
peared again and one is rarely seen 
here now. 
Golden Winged Woodpecker — they 
are the most abundant species of 
woodpecker in this vicinity, although a 
migratory species, they are sometimes 
seen here in winter. I have some¬ 
times started them from holes in trees 
in cold winter days. They probably 
spend the nights in them. Lay beauti¬ 
ful pearly eggs so transparent that the 
yolks can be seen through the shell. 
Marsh Hawk—a few are generally 
seen about the Little river meadows 
during fall months. Nest built on the 
ground. 
Sharp Shinned Hawk—summer resi¬ 
dent—breed here. I once saw one in 
pursuit of a robin that was screaming 
loudly. They both almost brushed me 
as they flew by, and dove into a clump 
of chestnut sprouts where the hawk 
killed the robin. On another occasion 
I saw one of these hawks dive suddenly 
among a flock of robins scattering them 
in all directions. 
Cooper Hawk—summer resident. 
Nests are found about town nearly 
every year. 
| Sparrow Hawk—more often seen 
during spring and fall migrations— 
sometimes breed here, nesting in holes 
in trees. I once found crickets, beetles 
and caterpillars in the crop of one shot 
on the second of April. 
Red Tailed Hawk—breed here—two j 
and sometimes three is complement of 
eggs. 
Fish Hawk—sometimes seen flying j 
about the river, usually during spring 
freshets. 
Red Shouldered Hawk—resident 
throughout year—breed here. One 
was seen to kill a crow one cold day 
late in the fall on Wangunk meadows. 
On being shot at it dropped the crow 
which was still warm when picked up. 
Broad AVinged Hawk—but little 
known—nests with eggs have been 
found here. 
Bald Eagle—sometimes seen here. 
One was shot at Paccusett pond sever¬ 
al years ago. 
AVild Pigeon —common bird here | 
several years ago but very few appear 
here now. Few small flocks—some- 
1 times seen in fall. Nests have been 
found on the Masomsic hills. 
Carolina Dove—summer resident— 
breed here, but do not appear to be a 
common species. 
Ruffled Grouse or Partridge—nest on 
the ground in the woods laying from 
eight to fifteen eggs. 
Quail — not migratory—lay from 
twelve to fifteen eggs. 
Kildeer Plover— were not uncommon 
here several years ago, and bred here 
about old fields. But few are seen 
here now. 
Ring Neck Plover —sometimes seen 
( about the river during spring and fall 
migrations. 
Red Phalarope — I have a specimen 
in my cabinet taken in the freshet 
water on the meadows. AVhen first 
seen was swimming on the water as 
gracefully as a duck, a rare species 
seldom found in this vicinity. 
AYoodcock—arrives early in spring, 
nesting in swampy situations as early 
as the middle of April. I once aw a 
woodcock flushed in a swamp fly away 
with a young one in its claws. J have 
also seen them when flushed alight on 
a rail fence. 
AVilson’s Snipe—found here during 
spring and fall migrations. Nest con¬ 
taining eggs was found here May 13’ 
1874. Eggs were fully identified. 
This is the only time this species has 
been known to breed in this vicinity. 
Least Sandpiper—found about the 
meadows and river shore during mi- 
grations. 
Greater Yellow Legs — sometimes i 
seen about the river during migrations, i 
Lesser Yellow Legs— seen about the 
river and meadows during migrations. 
Spotted Sandpiper, Peer AYeet — com¬ 
mon summer resident — usually found 
about the river shores— nests are a 
mere hollow in the sand, lined with a 
few straws. Eggs are top shaped and 
very large for the size of the bird. 
I Great Blue Heron —occasionally seen 
here. 1 once saw a pair flying about 
the Little river meadows. A fine spec-' 
imen was shot in fall 1885 living over 
near Covell’s woods. 
Green Heron —summer resident. 
Nests are composed entirely of sticks 
and are placed on bushes in swampy 
situations. 
