62

62
1898
May 18
(No. 2)
and where to find it. As we were standing on
the edge of the river looking over the meadows
opposite, suddenly Will exclaimed, “Hear them,
Greater Yellowlegs and he began to whistle loudly
their note, 4 sharp calls or notes, the first 3 on the
same key another 4th a little lower. Presently I
heard the sound far off on the meadow and
ere long a flock of 19 birds arose and circled
round before alighting again. They were a good
distance off. Two or three birds left the flock and
flew down the river past us giving us a much
better view of them. It was reserved for the
next day to have a most perfect sight of them.
Turning away from the shore and leaving
the Barn, Eave & Bank Swallows sailing
over the water, and a Pine Warbler singing
its good-night trill in a neighboring pine.
Suddenly we heard an Ovenbird pouring
forth its flight song, and turning to the
sound we saw him descending as he
finished the last notes. Twice again we
heard the song without seeing the bird.

It was an interesting performance, as
it was new to me. A Bittern was
jumping in the meadow opposite, a Swamp
Sparrow was singing in a near swamp