July 4-1874 235 Kantucket birds. I also saw a pair of S. huswuds, fishing in the masses of Bassus, skimming along close to the surface picking up dead fishes (dapper) without diving. They also very early light & swim on the water. On the sand bars they present a most beautiful aspect with the black of the crown contrasted with the beautiful pearly blue of the mantle; at such times the graind birds sit together side by side. Those near the waters edge are generally engaged in washing & pluming themselves, and whenever a new comr settles among them he is greeted with loud cries of welcome from th assemld fowry. I have several times seen a Bird newly wounded & taken into the boat set im- mmediately about pluming & arranging his feathers so neat are that: to say this happened with one that had both eyes shot out & a wing broken. the song of all, these Herceis, that I have descreted him on very flexible & will bird to almost any extent without beating. The testicles of the males I an, at their maximumed size, very,