Merganser americanus. Lake Umbagog, New England. 1898. Will Sargent tells me that he has often seen Sheldrake par- Aug.28. tially immerse their heads in this way and he agrees with me (No.3). in believing that it is done for the purpose of enabling the bird to discover its fishy prey without the trouble of diving. After passing the point these Sheldrake entered our Duck Cove and encircled it finally passing out around the next point beyond. During the whole time that we watched them they must have covered nearly a mile of shore line. I do not doubt that they often traverse a dozen miles or more in a day keeping all the while within a few yards (oftener within three or four feet) of the water's edge. Sept.9. When I first looked out from the tent at about half-past five the Lake was densely shrouded in fog. As I stood listen- ing to the cry of a Loon some waves rolling out from the shore attracted my attention to a file of Sheldrakes that were pass- ing within twenty yards of me close in under the rocks. I counted six of them. A few moments later I saw them crossing the mouth of the boat cove, cleaving deep furrows in the glossy surface. I could trace each furrow to its apex after the grayish colored bird that was making it had become com- pletely merged in the gray fog. Merganser americanus. 1899. Oxford Co., Me. Oct.1 / 7 25 , Lake Umbagog.