(April 19) swim with only the bill above water as some of the fresh water ducks do. After this he started for the ledges and arriving there found an immense bed of coots sitting on the water. At least 500 must have been collected together sitting in clusters with rafting ones between covering an acre or more of water. I got one good shot & knocked down two & bruten bills both of which for a wound were killed dead. Then we went ashore on the rocks leaving Mr. J. to scull about in the boat and stir them up. Storm got one good shot & killed one & I knocked over a bird from a flock at the longest distance I ever saw a bird shot - 100 yds at least & this with 10 3 shot. It fell into the water broken winged & got off at of right before the boat came. Mr. Y. saw a flock of about 50 Y. martins & said they were so shy that he could not get within range of them. He also started an immense flock of brant out of the water. Only two or three flocks of the latter birds flut this morning & the flight has probably ceased. As we left the ledges I caught sight of a brants head among the rocks above high water mark & stalking it, got a flying shot as it bow like a black duck with a high quick spring. It flew off some hundred yards then lowered it had & finally striking the water had just turned a somersault.