Merganser americanus. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1890. Early this morning Jim discovered a flock of Ducks in Oct.24. the Lake near Black Island. They kept well out in deep water and we supposed them to be Scoters but they proved to be Sheldrake. At one time they worked in close to shore and I landed on the back side of the point and came very near get- ting a shot at them but they soon swam out into the Lake a- gain although there was a heavy sea running, and began diving in deep water 400 to 500 yds. from land. At times all would be under water at once but usually several remained on watch while the others were below. There were 21 birds in the flock and all appeared to be females or young males. They frequent- ly "bunched" but usually swam in several small clusters with single birds scattered between. They kept diving in nearly one place for over an hour but finally came in to some rocks where they clambered out and preened their feathers some of them standing erect, others with the body nearly horizontal. One clambered to the top of a rock 4 or 5 ft. above the water where it kept a keen lookout. I do not remember ever seeing Sheldrake fish in deep, open water before.