Brahmam Mass. 876. (May 16) Immense bed of coots. Som. mollissima Sterna hirundo, S. frenata about. Bal. arumica, S. antipodes 329 at our approach nearly all together the air seemed fairly full of them. They separated up as we went off into banks and before many minutes began to return when in an incredible short time another large bed would be formed. I did not hear one of them utter a sound. The three species were pretty fairly represented, S. perspicillata being perhaps a little the scarcer. Saw also among the coots a flock of S. sonatica mollissima among them several fine drakes. Saw a number of loons, all apparently C. Yorgutus and heard one "hollering." On our way back found the same area off the point literally clear with shore birds principally Gossameria and Sterulae interpres. Also on a sand drift adjoining a large number of S. frenata. Dried hard to land but the tide was running out and one boatman refused to brack the deep draught sail boat fearing that we might have to stay out all night if we get fairly around so we had to sail off from the tantalizing sights. Runny and the bay I shot a pair of Sterna hirundo that were sitting on the poles of some weirs. Now on the first time that I have seen. Arriving at Hardwigs landing before sunset we spent an hour or more shooting on a dry gravel "sink" behind the ridge killing a lot of jays and ring necks. The birds came in turn to spend the night. Also shot a S. S. molodis that was flying past my window.