2 1889 Maine. Soft & Cold S. Umbagog (Continued) they fairly amazed me by beginning During from wing Anas obscura Lake Umbagog, Maine. diving from on wing. There was a strong N.W. wind away at the time and one after another would rise against it until a foot or two above the surface, flop slowly and heavily for a few yards with the tips of the wings depressed and finally plunge headlong into the water reappearing a few rods away & soon repeating the performance. None of the Sportsmen to whom I mentioned this had ever seen anything like it. The birds were in a small pond in open water about five or six feet deep. The Black Duck's vocal note is a simple quack very broad notes similar to that of a tame duck (Mallard) but hoarser. Some birds have cracked voices which produce a most strident sound. Others again quack exactly like a tame duck. Besides the quack they have a low croaking note not unlike that of a frog. The latter is given when several are together, talking as it were. I have heard no other notes. When on the alert they are silent birds but when they feel secure they are exceedingly noisy & very playful. When a number are feeding together their bills produce a low but distinct & Wings whistle nearly continuous champing or cracking sound audible a hundred yds. or more in still weather. When flying their wings make a clear but not loud whistle, louder rather than shrill in tone. When descending from a great height they let their wings & sway violently, their bodies gently from side to side producing a rushing sound as if wind passing through fronds... Their hearing is wonderfully keen & discriminative. Their sight is excellent. They positively cannot scent a man whatever the conditions, they are almost invariably infested with large lie-like parasites one 1/4 inch in length. They have a habit of.