Lake Umbagog journals, 1871-1916 (inclusive)

4. Birds of Lake Umbagog, Maine. Botaurus lentiginosus - - - - - - I. Ardea herodias - - - - - - - - - 2. Herodias egretta - - - - - - - - 3. Florida coerula - - - - - - - - - 4. Butorides virescens - - - - - - - 5. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius - - 6. Rallus virginianus - - - - - - - 7. Porzana carolina - - - - - - - - 8. ? noveboracensis - - - - - 9. Fulica americana - - - - - - - -10. Crymophilus fulicarius - - - - - II. Phalaropus lobatus - - - - - - - 12. Steganopus tricolor - - - - - - - I3. Philohela minor - - - - - - - - 14. Gallinago delicata - - - - - - - I5.

Botaurus lentiginosus.

Botaurus lentiginosus. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1871. June 3. On the largest of the floating islands near the house we found three nests to-day, containing respective- ly six, five, and three eggs, all quite fresh. The nests were rude structures of sticks placed on the quak- ing, boggy ground in a matted bed of cassandra bushes and all within a few rods of one another. The females sat closely rising only when nearly troddon on. We found only one male on the island. He boomed at all times of the day, and even after the nests were robbed did not desert the place. These floating islands of which there several in the Lake are singular and interesting formations, composed of interlaced roots and tussocks more or less covered with cassandra bushes, alders, and Cornus stolonifera. The one where the Bittern nests were found has two larch trees fifteen or twenty feet high. They are literally vegetable rafts, rising and falling with the water of the lake. This Bit orn island is said to have come from a point a mile or more distant, breaking loose from its original moorings and drifting to the spot where it now stands. Its surface is quaking and more or less treach- erous, yielding several inches at each foot-sta[illegible] and oc- casionally breaking through. 1872. June -- A nest with five perfectly fresh eggs on the floa- ting island. 1873. Sept. 1. One shot August 30 and another to-day. 1876. May 26. A male uttering his singular notes on the floating island near the house and another answering him from a smaller island near Stone's landing. We paddled to within a few yards of the first but could not see him as he was concealed among the grass and bushes. His cry was as follows: er-lump, noomp-or loomb the last three syllables repeated five times in succession. The first, making a sort of prelude to the whole performance. Oc- casionally a seventh utterance was added as if he was not altogether satisfied with what he had accomplished. The first syllable has a watery swallowing sound; the second is exactly like a distant axe stroke on resonant wood; while the last sounds like the echo of the stroke.

Botaurus lentiginosus. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1876. June 3. On the floating island in front of the Stone farm, I started a female bittern from her nest. It was small, flat, and composed entirely of dead twigs placed on the dry ground among the thickest bushes. The eggs were five in number, two with embryos forming, and the remain- der fresh. The bird croaked as she rose, flew direct- ly out of sight, and did not return. 6/5 (2408)- (June 5) Landing on the floating island near the Stone place to search for nests I was parting the matted Cassandra bu- shes with my paddle when I felt a tap on its blade. Investigating further I was surprised to find a Bittern sitting on her nest within a yard of me. She was so puffed up that the nest was entirely concealed, and in- deed nothing of her shape was visible, except a mass of brown plumage with the small head and bill projecting from between her shoulders not a particle of her neck being exposed. After looking at her for sometime I again poked her with the paddle when she struck at it forcibly, at the same time erecting the feathers of the crown. I actually tried for several minutes to push her off the nest using much force and bending the slen- der paddle almost to the point of breaking it. Finally setting the blade behind her head I pushed it forward holding it on the ground so firmly that she began to gasp for breath. At length the paddle slipped off when she at once took wing in silence and flew to the opposite shore. There were only two eggs in the nest and I left them in hopes that she would lay more, but returning a few days later I found them cold and wet and the nest evidently deserted. There was not a trace of fear in her expression but instead fierce and sullen de- termination. This nest had some dry grass arranged as a lining. Like the one found June 3 it was placed on the highest and driest part of the island; but unlike it, it was so overarched by the thickly growing Cassan- dra bushes that this bird in entering and leaving it must have had to walk several steps in a crouching posi- tion beneath the interlaced twigs. 7/2 (2409). 1881. May 23. One singing in Leonard's Pond. 1882. Oct, 8-22 One shot October 14. Its stomach contained a wa- ter beetle.

Botaurus lentiginosus. Botaurus lentiginosus Mr. W. S. Willings shot a Bittern today on the marshes below the Rock House. Batchelder got it and skinned it. It was cased in fat and the intestines were enveloped with thick layers. The stomach contained a beetle and nothing more. This Heron is a rare bird here now at any season. -- Maine, Upton. Oct. 14, 1872 Botaurus lentiginosus I started a Bittern on the marsh at the outlet. It uttered an ooh, ooh as it flew. Lake Umbagog, Maine Oct. 30, 1863

Botaurus lentiginosus L. Umbagog, Maine. Botaurus lentiginosus. - Common, breeding May 30 - June 10, 1871. June, 1872. Botaurus lentiginosus. - Several pairs brooding on the floating islands. Botaurus lentiginosus. - Sept. / 1873. Sept. 8 1874 May 26th 1876 / May 20th / May 23rd Pond / Oct. 14 Botaurus lentig. 1876 Lake Umbagog, Maine. Botaurus lentiginosus 1894 September 9 - startled at evening at Richardson's Carry. Mr. Sargent tells me that Bitterns still breed on the B. Meadows of Cambridge River & or other back meadows of this region but not around this Lake. 1895. September 10 / started in Duck meadows just above Pulsifer Rock. " 14 / started at Richardson's Carry Lake Umbagog. 1896. Botaurus minor May - James Bernier and James Mc. Good both report Bitterns numerous on B. Meadows last week (May 3-9) They heard them jumping in several directions at close range. Mc. Good says they were scattered over. Mc. Good says they were scattered all up & down the river of them "seemed to be one in every logan". Allowing for exaggeration there must be two or three pairs there. June 5. One startled at entrance to Sweet Meadows apparently it flew from the branches of a willow 15 ft. above the water line of this I am unfortunately not certain " 12, Started two on B. Meadows.

Botaurus lentiginosus. 1895, Lake Umbagog. September 10. We lunched at Pulpit Rock and soon afterwards I tried the meadow just above but found only a Bittern there. It rose from the grass on a point where I had previously seen its head and neck pointing straight upward, but after inspecting them through my glass and even considering the possibility that they belonged to a Bittern I decided that what I saw was merely a stake, not a "Stake Driver." 1896, Lake Umbagog. June 5. Just as we entered Sweat's meadow a Bittern started (as I thought) from the branches of a maple about 15 ft. above the water and flew off croaking. Unfortunately I am not quite certain that it was actually in the tree, but there can be little doubt that such was the case. 6

Botaurus minor 1897. Lake Umbagog. May 31 From an anchorage in Bernald's Pond I heard a Buller hawk a number of times this morning in the direction of the Megalloway. I think, however, that he was further off than that line and perhaps in about a Castle meadow for the sound through distance was faint. June 7 Found this bird on a large floating island in Castle Meadows. He humped flexibly the whole forenoon. 1903. June 6 Brook meadows on interval near Sedum Swamp - Bothw. " 14: one jumping flexibly in late afternoon B. Meadows.

Botaurus lentiginosus 1896. Lake Umbagog. September 2(water marsh) 4(ice) 5(ice) Sept. 4. at 11a. M. (the day clear & cool with high n.w. winds) I saw a Bittern coming over the flats from the direction of Brande's Pond. It flew across the river & alighted in the open marsh. I do not think that any one flushed it but it is not improbable that some men who were shooting at ducks one hour or two before had driven it out & that it was returning. The Bittern flies freely by day in spring but I believe to be under fledged in autumn. 1897. September 25¹ 1898. September 11ᵗʰ Cambridge River ½ mile above mill 18¹ seen by Meloon Upper Megallowing Pond upper Milldam 20¹ Mistake P. 1900 September 8ᵗʰ Moose Point ; 21ᵉ Cambridge River Between the Mill & the Falls.

Botaurus lentiginosus. have they been rewarded for their labor. The surrounding circumstances have in many cases proven too much for human endurance or malarial constitution. During one of my sojourns amongst the wilds of Maine, fortune granted me a glimpse at the home of a pair of these birds. At the northern end of Lake Umbagog, is a swamp of considerable extent, caused by the dam at Errol. At this place in the latter part of May, 1883, I spent a week in company with Joe Sampson, the famous Dead River guide; who in answer to a question I put to him, informed me that “Meadow Hens” were “tolerble thick in crane swamp.” Often had I seen the Bittern fly across the corner of the lake and disappear in the direction of the above named swamp, and from its recesses I have heard its curious Spring note, which may be said to resemble, to a certain degree, the sound produced by striking an axe upon a stake; but any ornithologist who would be misled into following the direction of the sound, thinking it was produced by the latter cause, had better not stray far from home; in my opinion he would get lost on Boston Common. On June 2nd my hesitating mind had arrived at one conclusion: I would explore the swamp; but it must be confessed I had no assurance of success. The next day we began operations, and at noon the bow of the canoe was turned towards Moll's Rock. Soon we entered the overflowed tract, and paddled under the decaying trees, killed by the overflowing of the water. At evening we had reached a camping spot; a small island which afforded a dry bed and black flies. This was the limit of our travel by our canoe; and the next day's rising sun found us wading waist deep in the cold water, towards the marsh. The country in which we were now was indeed a desolate wilderness, sufficient to inspire a sense of homesickness in the explorer. The dead hemlocks shorn of their limbs, raised their immense trunks high in the air, as monuments to the destruction of the forests. Underneath were their stricken fellows lying as watersoaked obstacles to our march; and ever and anon some unseen hole would immerse us still deeper in the chilly fluid. Three hour's patient application brought us to the “bog.” This was indeed more desolate than the swamp behind us. A few dead trees alone broke the monotony of treacherous quagmire and shaky bog. A few alders fringed the edge, and a large expanse of water in the centre was a relief to the eye. My companion stood by my side in silent contem- The Home of the Bittern. BY F. H. C. Standing on the edge of some impenetrable bog, into which he hies himself if too closely approached, the Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, resents the usual investigation afforded by other less interesting species. When disturbed from his uncouth attitude, his subsequent actions are soon lost to view, and if he falls a victim, the poor lifeless body relates none of the history of its past existence. Renowned devotees of the science of Bird-life have sought the sequel to their northward migration, but in few instances

Botaurus lentiginosus. plation of the scene. With all his experience in the north wilderness, he deemed this un- known swamp worthy of much caution and hesitating procedure. From Errol swamp came the hoot of the Barred Owl, and a Loon in the pond before us answered with his wailing cry. But a more welcome sight met our gaze, as we saw a Bittern slowly flapping his way across the marsh with a frog impaled on his spear-like bill. Lower and lower he came, and at last settled his flight in a bog at the side of the swamp. Leaving my companion as a landmark, that we might remember our entrance point, I started toward the bog, bespattering myself with mud and slime in my amphibious exer- tions. Reaching the edge of the grassy spot I proceeded slowly with attentive gaze upon the surface. Soon I perceived the top of the young swamp grass indicate by its motions the passage of some object hidden in its cover, and again I saw it repeated, but in a different direc- tion. As I happened at this time to catch the source from whence the wavy line sprang into existence, I was enabled to speedily find the object of my search. Placed upon a heap of dry grass and coarse brakes, I found four light drab eggs which needed no second per- son to assure me were eggs of the American Bittern, and as I stood in contemplation of the pleasing sight, the telltale grass again gave in- dication of the stealthily approach of the birds, and soon I saw the pointed beak and staring yellow eyes protruding from their hiding place and gazing ruefully at the invader of their home; but when I bestirred myself to secure my new found treasures, they knew the cur- tain was about to ring down on the last act, and the grassy cover informed me that they were gone. It is needless to say my exertions were counted as nothing when compared with the experience gained, and when in my Woodcock cover, in Southern New England, I stumble up- on the Bittern, it brings vividly to my mind the scene not far from the wooded shores of Um- bagog; and my cartridge is withheld for game more unworthy. O. & O. XII. Jan., 1887. P. 11-12. Eggs of the Mississippi Kite. [I have been permitted by Capt. Charles E. Bendire to publish the following letter from him, concerning the eggs of the Mississippi Kite, (Ictinia subcærulea). It was not origin- ally written for publication, but its contents

Ardea herodias. 2 10

Ardea herodias. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1872. June 2. Gideon Stone visited a large Heronry on the Androscoggin above Errol, and brought back several sets of eggs, all slightly incubated. 1874. Aug. 27. At least thirty in Black Island Cove. They rose nearly together and after wheeling about a while alighted on the tops of some tall dead pines which presented a curious appearance covered with the great birds. 1880. May 22. Two on Cambridge River. One shot as it came suddenly upon us following the course of the stream was in a peculiar immature plumage. Sept. 3. Shortly after sunset they began to come from up the Cambridge, and circling majestically, high in air, swept down to feed on the muddy shallows bordering the pond in the meadow, each hanking harshly as it descended. " 9. Large numbers feeding on the mud-flats in the Swett Cove. " 17. Numbers along the Cambridge River between the dam and B Meadows. 1882. Oct. 1-22. One seen October 9.

Ardea herodias. L. Umbagog, Maine. Sept. 20. 1887, ♀ ? 14054 - Coll. M.Brewster. Ardea herodias. - Common - May 30 - June 10, 1871. Ardea herodias. - June June, 1872. Ardea herodias. - Sept. 2, 11 1873. Ardea her Aug 27 30 - Sept. 4 att. - 1874 / Sept 3 - 8 add. - 11-17 / Oct. 9 - Ardea herodias, Oct. 14 1884. Ardea herodias. Oct. 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 21 24 23 27 Ardea herodian - Oct, 13 - 14 - 18 - 19 - 25 - 1886. 1887. Ardea her Sept. 3 4 7 10 17 20 22 24 25 26 Sept. Ardea herodias 1. 2. 7. 9. 10. 11. 13. 14. 17. 19. 22. 23. 25. 27. Oct. 2. 7. 10 Ardea herodias Sept. 6 9 10 11 13 14 16 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 27 28 1889 Oct. 2 5 8 17 80 Ardea her. Sept. 24 27 Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1890. Oct. 4 6 8 14 20 Lake Umbagog, Me. Sept. & Oct. 1893. Ardea herodias Sept. 22 24 25 26 27 28 30 Oct. 1 2 3 4 5 10 heard flying on camp 11 " 12 13 Lake Umbagog, Maine. Ardea herodias 1884 September 1 11 12 13 15 16 17 " 20 21 26 28 29 October 1 1895. August 30 September 1 Dec. R. 2 Pm A. 3 ds. 4 5 6 7 " 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 " 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 on " attacked by Sharp and Out (of joined) 23 24 " 25 26 28 29 30 more numerous this season than they have been for the last 15 years. Seen in a dozen assorted regularly in the woods on & around Pine Point of Umbagog Lake. their days, then flying across to other islands to feed. They feed more or less at all hours both day & night. But chiefly in the morning & evening. They cannot be hunted better than Black Ducks, twilight. They cannot be hunted better than Black Ducks. At twilight they will fly directly over an open boat at twilight, they will fly directly over an open boat in the darkness provided nothing moves. the Journal for Sept 22 for account of an attack on one of them here by a Sharp and Out. Sept. 26 - To night when it was nearly dark a Heron alighted on a mud flat within 30 yds. of me. There was not so much as a tuft of grass between us yet he evidently did not notice either me or the boat. Indeed I paddled along past the flat without alarming him until the paddled through the boat when he at once flew. This experience convinces me that a New Heron, like a Black Duck, cannot be well at night.

Ardea herodias. Lake Umbagog. 1896. Ardea herodias May 21. One flying across the lake from East Island in direction of Kidswell farm. June 7. A young man, a nephew of Mr. Cleaves, says that there is a Heronry in the woods on the west side of Bragg's Bay about a mile below First Bridge between two Berlin road and the river. He passed it this afternoon and "heard the birds screaming in any direction" but saw only three nests all in one tree, a large bird flew from all three tall trees as he approached them. I saw no Herons during my stay (May 21 to June 8) at Pine Point. June 12. One flying over the Meadow Lake Umbagog, Maine. Ardea herodias 1888 Sept 11 About The Irish found the remains, feathers, bones, of two Herons which Sargent thought had been killed & eaten by Eagles. He has seen Eagles catch their great birds which, he says, make no resistance but strive only to escape by doubting, squawking loudly with terror. Coming up the Cambridge yesterday we started at a sight of them Herons Some were roosting in spruces over the stream others standing in the shallow water fishing. Sargent says they do not fish by night but they certainly do so in Ardea herodias. 1899. Oxford Co., Me. Oct. I three, Cambridge River Marshes, Lake Umbagog.

Ardea herodias. Lake Umbagog. 1896. Ardea herodias May 21. One flying across the lake from Great Island in direction of Kidder's farm. June 7. A young man, a neighbor of Mr. Chamber, says that there is a Heronry on the woods on the west side of Beaggs Bay about a mile below First Bridge between the Berlin road & the river. He heard the birds at this afternoon and "heard the birds crying in every direction" but saw only their nests all in one tree, a tall elm. Birds flew from all these nests as he approached them. I saw no Herons during my stay (May 21 to June 8) at Ruin Point. 12. One flying over the Meadow

Ardea herodias. L.H. near Belle Plaine C.R. = Cambridge River Lo. = near Solvay L. = " Quetta m. R. = Myolomy Rmi 1897 September 5② 6② Butter marshes 7³ 9² 10² 11² 12² 13² 14³ 15⁶ m.R. Q. M.R. 17² 19² Johnson, 21² 22³ 23³ C.R. C.R. 25³ 26² 29² 1898. August O. P. Curtis 26' 27' 30' September P. O. L.H. C.R. Lo. h.t. Upper Myolomy 5-nd 8¹ 10¹ 11¹ 12² 13¹ narrow 18¹ 19¹ 20¹ 21¹ 1899. October 1⑬ C.R. 1900. September 6ⓈⓄ 7² 8⁴ 9⁵ 10⁶ ⑮ 12² 13' 14³ 15¹ 16³ 17¹ 18² 19² 20² 21³ 22² 1904. September 2.7' Bally am ds. 9½ Belhel kahan air enemy 1907. August L. L. C.R. Lo. L.H 5-3 6¹ 7③ 8③ 9Ⓢ 10² 12² 14' 15' Loake Umbopy.

Ardea herodias. Great Blue Heron 1889. Maine. I. Umbagog. Seen daily in September and in October up to the 17th. We often heard them at night when it was perfectly dark flying over the lake uttering their loud horse cry. They do not, however, appear to see nearly as well after dark as in the day time, though on several occasions when we were lying in wait for Ducks at Moose Point one of these birds would pass directly overhead within fif- teen or twenty yards, although we were not at all well concealed. During the day time their sight is far keener than that of any oth- er animal found in this region. Often when I was creeping out to a flock of Black Ducks and when I fancied myself perfectly con- cealed I have had one of these Herons discover me and take wing when it seemed impossible that he could have either seen or heard me. They resort to the smallest ponds among the woods and are found along such narrow streams as the Cambridge River where the trees interlace their tops in many places over the water. The guides tell me that these Herons are easily approached at night by hunters who are “jacking” deer. They gaze at the light in stupid bewilderment and often allow the boat to approach so closely that they can be struck with a short paddle. They breed about the lake still, for a reliable man told me that he found a nest an which the bird was sitting only last spring. He thinks they no longer breed in colonies, but scattered nests are to be found all over the wooded region about the Lake often a mile or more from water.

Ardea herodias. 1894, Lake Umbagog. October 1. As I was paddling homeward (from across the lake) a Fox barked a number of times in quick succession exactly like a small dog. I also heard a Great Blue Heron make a tremendous outcry - a succession of hoarse screams such as a wounded Heron will utter. Will heard this bird distinctly from Pine Point. He thinks it was caught by either a Fox or a "Cat Owl". 1895, Lake Umbagog. September 3. Pine Point. Although the moon was full and the night clear and still we heard no Owls. Great Blue Herons, however, were continually passing and repassing the Point during the hours when I was awake. September 4. Lake Umbagog. After sunset at Pine Point. Three or four Herons passed flying so low over the water that the tips of their wings ruffled its glossy surface. 1896, Lake Umbagog. August 11. Eleven in sight at once. In a little cove just inside the rocky point at the mouth of the Cambridge six Great Blue Herons were standing along the shore, four on the mud and two on low stubs. Further along I could see five more, so that in all I had eleven of these pic- turesque birds in sight at once. There were also two Eagles, a white-headed and a brown one, and an Osprey sitting on dead trees not far from the Herons. 16

Ardea herodias. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1895. Sept. 7. Before the Ducks began arriving a Great Blue Heron alighted in the pond within twenty yards of us. We were only partially concealed by the brakes but we lay perfectly still for and three or four minutes the big bird stood erect and motion- less staring at us intently but evidently unable to make out just what we were. Finally he sprang into the air and made off rising in a broad spiral, coming back over us again and again at a constantly increasing height. His curiosity was apparently unsatisfied but he was nevertheless much alarmed for he kept uttering a low coc-coc during the whole time that he remained in sight.

Ardea herodias. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1896. As I came down the river, however, I had a chance to Aug. 13. watch and admire four Great Blue Herons which were ranged a- long the banks near the outlet of the upper pond, standing leg deep in the water watching for fish. They reminded me forcibly of human anglers as, with necks stretched out and bills pointing downward, they waited patiently for their prey. No one of them got a chance, however, to strike during the fifteen minutes or more that I had them under my glass. I was struck by their superlatively graceful attitudes and by the slenderness of their necks which looked scarce larger than those of Grebes. All four flew when I got within 100 yards. One was an old bird, the other three were young. Aug. 29. As I was paddling through Leonard's Pond a little before sunset, a Great Blue Heron sailed past me within thirty yards and alighted on a stub. What a superlatively graceful, pic- turesque creature is this fine bird whether it be perched or flying. I observe that when one intends flying only a hun- dred yards or less it carries the neck stretched out to its full length or nearly so and the legs hanging more or less down, but when it starts on a long flight the legs are stretched out behind like a spurious tail and the neck doubled in on the breast with the head resting between the shoulders.

Ardea herodias. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1896. In most places (at Leonard's Pond) where the water is Sept. 7. less than two feet deep and the bottom sandy or muddy, I see the tracks of the Great Blue Herons. The huge foot prints, evenly spaced, suggest the presence of some big, submarine bird. They are often found one hundred feet or more out from the shore.

Ardea herodias 1897. Lake Umbagog. Sargent Cove. (Mather) Grafton Outlet. May 12°(Notman) 17' /18 foot del. 26 m. 30' flying high one June To' Canada Pond. 14' (closer from the shore at the same above noon) 1903 June For several years past the Umbagog Herons have nested in the woods a few hundred yards back from the high rocky ledge at the entrance to Sunday Cove. I first heard of this colony in 1900. Oliver Coolidge visited it soon after the middle of June of this year but found that it had been devastated a few days ago by some vandals whose' charred Camp he discovered on the outer shore near at hand. From two letters which he wrote (one to John E. Thayer on June 24th, the other to me on June 26) I extract the following quotations: - "I found about 100 Blue Herons' nests. They were up about 65 or 70 feet. I climbed them; only got one egg & that had a small hole in it. We only saw one old bird and one nest with young. I could not climb the other trees. I went next day & went up. He climbed 30 trees. One tree had six nests but no eggs. We found about 15 or 20 Herons buried up under old rotten logs, nearly all decayed. We pulled them before we found them. We also found eight others on the ground and two Fish Hawks. Someone had been there that every bird except the one /bird/ or one bird with young. It looked as if it had been done about two or three weeks. It must have been done when the birds were laying. x x x There was a camp about 1/4 mile from this place and someone had been stopping then this thing as in saw a lot of Partridge's wings around the camp." [ These extracts are from Coolidge's letter of June 21 to Mr. Thayer. The other letter is in very short ] 20

Ardea herodias. 1896. Lake Umbagog. August 9³ 10² 11④ 12² 13⁴/14² 15² 16² 17² 18³ 19² 20² 22⁴ 24¹ 30¹ 31③ 25² 26¹ 27² 28² 29¹ 30¹ September 1¹ 2¹ 3¹ 4¹ 5³ 7² 10³ 11¹ 12³ 13¹ 14² 15¹ 16² 17² 21¹ 22¹ 24¹ 27² 28¹ 29③ 30¹ October 2¹ 3¹ Sept. 4. ½ day, at 10 a.m., I saw for the first time, I think, in my whole experience, a Great Blue Heron actively engaged in fishing. He alighted on a point in Leonard's Pond and after looking keenly about for a moment waded out into the water up to his belly and began marching back & forth striking several times each minute. He carried his neck stretched out to nearly its full length and invariably held to one side (low to one side) of the central axis of the body with his head & bill turned up backwards as if he were blinded in one eye. This posture was assumed of course. They are rather rapid but made with as much deliberation as those of a hen picking up corn. The whole performance was as different as possible from what I had imagined it. The bird often stood motionless, walking or rarely paused for more than a moment at a time. Once I saw him pull up a trout fish which he shook violently & then swallowed. All his other attempts were either fruitless or he caught fishes so small that I could not see them (he was 100 yds. away & I had a good glass). This was something like his fishing attitude: Profile view. (bird seen from behind showing position of head & neck with relation to body.) 21

Ardea herodias. Lake Umbagog. Great Blue Herons nesting near Sunday Cove. 1903 June 14 Alva Coolidge tells me that the Grest Blue Herons are nesting again in large numbers near Sunday Cove. (He afterwards wrote both me and John E.Thayer that he visited this heronry a day or two after my departure. There were upwards of 100 nests but nearly all of them were empty. He saw only one living adult bird which was feeding young in one of the nests but he found about twenty-five dead Herons (all adults) lying about on the ground. Most of them had been covered with rotten wood torn from an old log. He thought they had been dead about two weeks. Not far from the place he came upon a deserted camp on the Lake shore where Partridge wings lay scattered about. Evidently some murderous vandal or vandals had visited the heronry early in June and killed practically all the birds. Their eggs, he thought, had been af- terwards eaten by other birds.)

Herodias egretta. 3 23

Herodias egretta. Maine (Rangely) Kennebago stream 1887 Ardea egretta Aug. 8 C. J. Goodale has a freshly mounted White Heron which he tells me was brought to him Aug. 12 in the flesh by W. S. Hillson of 271 Franklin St. Boston. Mr. N. told him that he shot the bird at Rangely on Aug. 8th. It is a young specimen fully grown & feathered but without plumes. It reached Mr. G. in terrible condition of course & the feathers are all off on one side of the neck. (Later) In Sept. following I met Maine (Kennebago stream) 1887 Ardea egretta Aug. 9 One at Goodale's freshly mounted. It is a young bird & reached G. in a fair - some condition. I met someone at Kennebog in Sept. who saw the bird shot. It was killed Aug. 9 by Mr. Arthur Holt.

Florida coerulea. 4 25

Butorides virescens. 5 26

Ardea virescens. 1874. Maine (Lake Umabog). Aug. 28. A young bird in fall plumage was killed on the shore of the Lake to-day at the Sargent Farm and brought to me in the evening.

Lake Umbagog. 1909, June 5. South-west rain storm beginning about 9 a. m. continuing through the day and into the night. Wind blew strong in forenoon. As Gilbert and I were standing on the deck of the house boat about noon to-day a Green Heron flew past within 30 yards and alighted on the top of a tall dead tree within 50 yards. After perching there a minute or two, it flew across the cove and alighted on a floating log near the mouth of Stony Brook. Here it remained less than a minute. When it took wing a second time it appeared to have been startled by something for it uttered at first a calling ca-ca-ca-ca-ca- and then cackling its characteristic scow, scow, as it disappeared among the trees in the direction of Peaslee's house. I had a fine view of it as it passed the boat, and saw distinctly its blue-green back and chestnut head and neck. I have only one previous record for Umbagog, that of a bird shot many years ago in Sargent Cove. in New Hampshire; the one seen to-day was near the Abbott Mill and Lake House in Upton, Maine.

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. 6 29

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. L. Umbagog, Maine. Nyctardea grisea nivea. - Aug. 2, /12/ 1873. Nyctardea nivosa grisea, Oct. 14 Sept. 1884. Nyctardea nivea 23rd 1893 heard squabbing at evening Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1894 Nyctardea grisea September 17, 18 On both occasions heard at night - a large bird, apparently, flying about over the marshes at the Outlet. On the 2nd October I saw fresh tracks of either a Night Heron or Bittern on a sandy beach near the Outlet. 1895 Sept. 8 / heard 10 P.M. in direction Bitter. // / heard 7 P.M. near Pine Pt. 1873. Nyctardes grisea niveae. Maine (Lake Umbagog). Aug. 2. On the Megalloway a mile or two below the landing the steamer started a flock of about a dozen which were roosting in the spruces on the bank. " 12. Shot a young bird which started from the muddy shore of Cambridge River about two miles above the dam.

Nycticorax g. nativin 1897. Lake Umbagog. Game 7 At 10 P. M, a Night Heron found one on boat as we lay at anchor in Bunnards' Pond. It quarreled at regular intervals six or eight times within our hearing.

Nycticorax g. mirus 1896 Lake Umbagog. August 12 heard squawking 8 P.M. 12 on B. Point Offside) 27 1 heard at Moon Pt. at 7 P.M. October Sargeats Corn 2 kids a Quicksawn 3 heard by 1897 September 6 1 hen Mom Pt. 7 A.M. Flying from Pine Point near from there 1 kid Pine Pt. 8... 14 1/2 P.M. 15 days old 29 at evening foggy one Umbagog R. mates squawking. 1898 September 18. At the Woodens camp, Upper Megadiscog River, Found the wing of a young Night Heron that had been there a day or two before. 1904. September 15 - Young can heard tunes at 8 P.M. Bird suddenly fly up S. from Dr. E's house - Baldute

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1897. As we were leaving Moose Point a Night Heron came from Sept. 6. the direction of the Outlet and passing near enough to be dimly seen disappeared over the marsh where one of the Crock- er party shot at it. He thought it fell but could not find it. Later in the evening what was probably the same bird passed and repassed Pine Point quackly loudly. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. 1898, September 13. Lake Umbagog. Upper Megalloway River. The wing of a young Night Heron, freshly cut off, lay on the ground at the landing. One of the guides said that it had be- longed to a "Hawk" and that the bird had been shot on the river near by. 33

Rallus virginianus. 7 34

Rallus virginianus - L. Umbagog, Maine. 1880. Sept 6 Shot a young bird midway between the first and au- tumnal stages. It rose from a bed of reeds near the mouth of Cambridge River.

1888, September 21. Rallus virginianus. Head of Lake Umbagog. I . . shot a Virginia Rail which "Don" pointed.

Porzana carolina. 8 37

Porsana carolina. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1873. Sept. 18. Come upon one crouching under a log on the heavily timbered bank of Cambridge River about a mile above the dam. 1880. June 17. Yesterday I heard a male singing on the grassy river-bank, and to-day putting my dog on shore there he quickly flushed the bird which flew, as this species some- times will, very swiftly with legs drawn up and wings whirring like a Quail's. 23. Heard two on the meadows bordering Cambridge River. Sept. 4. Shot three on the meadows between the River and the lower pond. 13. Shot two on the meadows. They lie closely before the dog.. 1882. Oct. 9-22 One shot October 20. Its stomach contained four or five pellets of No. 10 shot (see card). 38

Porzana carolina. L. Umbagog, Maine. shot Carib Air Porzana carolina. - Sept. 18 1873. Porzana Sept. 8 - / 1874 / June 16 1880 ♀- 17 ♂ 2 (1 + 1) Sept. 33 11 - 13 = / Oct 20 = Porzana carolina, Oct. 30 1884. 1887. Porzana car Sept. 5 = 9 = 14 = - Sept 9 ♀ 14041 - Sept. 17. Oct 24 1888 Porzana car Sept. 14 - 19 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 (hard) 1889

Porzana carolina 1896 Lake Umbagog. September 7 1 ad (Legrand's) shot, Pond). 1897 Moon Point. September 6 2 shot by Carlin Party 1898 Moon Pt. September 23 Hand & carry 1900. September 14 3 seen, 1 shot H. Russell Quill's marsh.

Porzana carolina. 1889, Lake Umbagog. September 19. Near Outlet of Lake. I also shot a Carolina Rail which fell wounded into the lake and dove as adroitly as a Duck using its wings when swimming under water. September 24. Lake Umbagog. Moose Point. Although the water was two to three feet deep all over the marsh we heard many Carolina Rails calling kep, ke-ep at sunset.

Porzana carolina Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1889 Maine Sept. 19 L. Umbagog. Shot a young bird which fell in the lake about 20ft from shore where the water was perhaps a foot deep. As I waded out to the bird it dove with all the agility of a duck and swam under water several yards keeping close to the bottom and using its wings precisely like a duck. After remaining under nearly half a minute it came to the surface and floated with half spread wings apparently much exhausted but a moment later it dove again. This time it tried to get hold of the bottom raising a cloud of muddy soil that finally obscured and concealed it. It was shot in the body. 20 While lying in wait for ducks at about 6.30 P.M. saw a Rail flying about over the marsh in the twilight. There it passed me skimming close over the grass its legs drawn up its flight swift and straight. 24 Carolina Rails scattered all over the Moon Point marsh this evening calling to one another kek, kr-r-ck in low, feble, grating tones. The water was fully two feet deep among the grass.

Porzana noveboracensis. 9 43

Fulica americana. 10 44

Falico Americana L. Umbagog, Maine. Falica americana. Oct. 11 1884 ♀ just shot by W. B. at mouth of Cambridge River Falico 1882 Oct. 12 One shot at mouth Camb. R. by Geo. King Falico Americana. 1882. Maine (Lake Umbagog). Oct. 8-22 One shot by W.E. Skillings, October 10. One shot by George King, October 12, at the mouth of Cambridge River. 45

Tubica americana. 1898. Sept. 15 (I am writing in my cabinet) One shot at Moon Point this evening by James C. Melvin. When first seen the bird was diving about in the edge of some half submerged grass. It finally came into the glass out of sight. A little later Melvin rowed his boat across the spot flushing the bird and killing it. It is only the second specimen that I have ever obtained here. " 24 Another Cost at Moon Point. It started from a bed of half submerged glass as I was paddling through at evening and flew off over a space of open water toward morning, birds flying, I could not hear it easily.

Crymophilus fulicarius. 11 47

Phalaropus fulicarius. L. Umbagog, Maine. 1890 Phal. fulie Sept. 15 Shot ✓ Phalaropus fulicarius 29 last shot off Studvant Corn. Sept. 1887. ♀ 14036 ✓ P. fulicarius Sept. 15² - 30². Oct 2³ 6 Shot 1888 ✓ Phalaropus fulie Sept. 22 2 shot in Sweet Meadow - 24 (found) ✓ 1889 Oct. 3/1mm // . 4 1/2 min 5 ' dim South Bl. N. 73 Phalaropus ful. Oct. 13² ✓ Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1890. Phalaropus fulicarius. 1890. Maine (Lake Umbagog). Sept. 15. Killed two adult males and one immature female on the bar at the mouth of the River. They were feeding along the water's edge in company with a Hyperborean (Also shot) Phalarope and were very tame and very interesting. As they ran along the shore, sometimes wading knee-deep in the water, they constantly nodded their heads with a graceful Goot-like motion and alternately presented their beautiful marbled backs and snowy breasts, while the slender neck and head were never still. Their movements were exceedingly rapid and so erratic that they reminded me of ants. As my guide said: "they acted as if cra- zy". Occasionally one would take to the water and swim- ming off a few yards turn over nearly on its back and plume itself precisely in the manner of the Little Auk. At length I fired at two together and killed both, one proving to be a Red Phalarope, the other a Hyperborean. I noticed no difference between them when alive. The two survivors rose at the shot and joined a flock of "Peeps", scaling about with them for a few moments and then alighting in the original place when I killed them. both. These Phalaropes uttered an emphatic zip, zip, very like that of Tringa bonapartei. When flying they showed a narrow white bar on each wing and appeared near- ly as white as Sandling. Their first flight was swift, erratic, and generally similar to that of the smaller Tringae. Irides dark hazel. Stomachs contained small mud worms. 10

Crymophilus fulicarius. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Phalaropus fulicarius 1884 September 18th 30' Oct. 2nd 6' Oct. 2 Two on the flooded meadow at the Outlet feeding in a patch of grass. They knew about my activity apparently picking something from the green stems. Their motions were exceedingly graceful, their necks long & slenider. They allowed us to approach within short range & I killed both with one shot. This is the first time I have known them to occur on or near a marsh. The morning was cloudy but perfectly calm.

Crymophilus fulicarius. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1887. Off the entrance to Sandy Cove we left them (the steamer) Sept.29. and paddled for the west shore. On the way I discovered a- head a long-necked whitish bird which looked at first like a Horned Grebe. On getting nearer we found it to be a Red Phal- arope. It was swimming briskly about bobbing its head quick- ly at each foot stroke and sifting the water through its bill or at least seeming to do this. It paid no attention whatever to our approach and after watching it awhile I killed it with a light charge. 1888. To Outlet at 7.30 A.M. Saw two Red Phalaropes alight on Oct.2. the flooded meadow and found them swimming about in a patch of grass apparently picking something off the stems.

Crymophilus fulicarius. 1889. Maine. I. Umbagog. Phalaropus fulicarius I shot two of these Red Phalaropes, both males-, in Sweat Meadow on September 2nd. The day was cold and with a high north-west wind. They were swimming in the pond near the edge of the marsh, but although I watched them for some time, they did not actually enter the grass. The kept close together and swam about in zig-zag lines, occasionally turning over on their sides and dressing their plumage. They were very tame, in fact, apparently wholly indifferent as to our presence, for our boat passed them once within fifteen or twenty feet without disturbing them. The stomachs of both of these specimens contained only fragmentary remains of small beetles and sand. They took wing once and flew over the pond in erratic lines, very much like small Sand-pipers. One of them uttered a single "Tweet." as it rose from the water, very much like the call of the Least Sand-piper. On the 24th. of September, I found and specimen floating dead on the water, in an opening among the grass near the outlet of the lake. It had been shot in the side and evidently had been dead only a few hours, as the muscles had not relaxed. Its stomach, like those of the other two, was filled with the remains of beetles. On October 3rd. I saw a Phalarope flying over the middle of the lake and believed it to be of this species, although I did not succeed in shooting it. After wandering about in an aimless way for some time on the water it rose in the air, and, as far as I could make out, left the Lake entirely, going over one of the mountain-tops. On the next day a Phalarope was seen by Mr. Stone in Sweat Meadow. He did not shoot the bird, but from his description, I think it must have been of this species. It was swimming among some rather thick grass on the edge of the meadow, and allowed him to pass within a few feet of it, merely drawing back among the grass and peeping out again. On October 5th. my guide saw a Phalarope in Bottle Brook Pond. and watched it for some time with the glass. It was swimming about in the Pond, near the middle. Half an hour afterward, when I returned and he told me about it, it had gone, and, although I made the circuit of the pond, I could not find it anywhere. This covers all the observations made on this species during the present season. 51

Crymophilus fulicarius. 1888, Head of Lake Umbagog. October 6. With ten yards of them (A. maculata) was a Red Phalarope sometimes swimming, sometimes walking on the grass. Shot the Phalarope. 1889, September 22. Leonard's Pond. As Jim came down the pond he passed within 20 yds. of two Red Phalaropes. After the Ducks had gone we went after the Phala- ropes and I shot one on the water and the other as it rose. They were just outside the grass in the open water. They occasionally turned over on their sides like Little Auks. October 5. Lake Umbagog. Bottle Brook Pond. Jim came and reported a Duck and a Phalarope in the next cove. The Duck proved a Whistler which I ambushed and shot. The Phalarope I could not find. (This bird was doubtless a Red Phalarope. W.B., Dec., 1907). 1890, Lake Umbagog. October 13. Tyler Cove. While chasing these birds about we saw a Phalarope which we followed for more than a mile. It was very restless alighting for a moment and then flitting on a hundred yards or more and pitching down again. Melvin saw two of these birds. I think they were Red Phalaropes. The one I saw uttered a single sharp, short, shrill whistle (zeep). 52

Crymophilus fulicarius. 1896, August 31. Lake Umbagog. As we were about midway between B Brook and Pine Point we saw a Phalarope (fulicarius, I think) but I could not identify it certainly although it came within long gunshot, flying aimless- ly about and frequently alighting on the water (dead calm at the time) but never remaining there more than a few seconds. It was interesting to see with what confidence and decision this bird alighted, dropping as a Sandpiper drops on a mud flat and closing its wings very suddenly at the last.

Crymophilus fulicarius. Red Phalarope 1896. Lake Umbagog. August 31st One Phalarope, apparently of this species, out on the lake opposite B. Moose Corn. It was very restless and although it alighted frequently it did not even remain on the water for more than fifty or two seconds. The lake was dead calm at the time. There had been an easterly storm with moderate wind & heavy rain during the afternoon. October 2. Two Phalaropes which were almost certainly of this species were flying about over the marshes & ponds near the mouth of Cambridge River this morning. They alighted twice, once in the middle of a cluster of lily pads in the large pond below the Hotel House and once they flew past me within thirty yards but my gun missed fire & they went off unharmed. While flying they uttered a loud whit, whit not unlike the flight call of Bonaparte's Sandpiper and also a feeble purring sound. (a much better account of this in my journal.) " 3 One shot and given to me by Charles Dungey. It was swimming well out in the lake about midway between B. Point & Great Island. " 5 Killed a young bird in Bear River, N.Jersey, directly in front of Poplar Island. I was crossing the suspension foot bridge when the bird flew out from under it & alighted in the middle of the stream a few yards below. I watched it for 15 or 20 minutes. It swam about very rapidly, floating lightly, stemming the swift current with surprising ease but usually taking advantage of the eddies and working about the large boulders. It seemed to find food in abundance for it fed rapidly & constantly into the water & against the sides of the boulders. It would run & fly a few yards whenever I got within 30 to 40 feet, eating each time what it finds a sharp whit, whit very like the call of a spotted Sandpiper with young. It proved to be very thin. The stomach was filled with remains of most tethis of aquatic species I think

Crymophilus fulicarius. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1896. At 7.30 A.M. I started for Upton. Just inside the mouth Oct.2. of the river I saw three small waders flying about high in air. They uttered a whit-whit somewhat like the call of T. fuscicollis but louder and mellower and also a curious purring sound Shortly afterwards they came overhead and alighted in a cluster of lily pads near the middle of the pond near the Lake House when I saw that they were Red Phalaropes. They rose again in a minute or less.

Crymophilus fulicarius. Poplar Tavern, between Bethel and Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1896. We stopped here for dinner and Mr. Glidden and I crossed Oct.5. the river to look at the trout pond. On our way back and just as we were at about the middle of the suspension foot bridge a light-colored bird started directly beneath us and skimming close over the water flew down stream for a few rods uttering a sharp whit, whit very like the call of a Spotted Sandpiper anxious about its young. Almost at the first glance I recog- nized this bird as a Red Phalarope which, of course, I was greatly surprised to meet in such a place. It alighted again in the middle of the river where it floated lightly and stemmed the swift current with apparent ease, but it took ad- vantage of the eddies as much as possible and presently began working about the lower sides of some large boulders where it seemed to find food in abundance for it pecked rapidly and in- cessantly at their rough surfaces wet with the lapping of the waves. It also fed on the surface of the swirling eddies, moving about very rapidly and in devious courses. It was very tame but whenever I got within about 20 ft. it would rise and fly a few yards uttering its whit. Finally I went to the house, got my 32 cal. collecting pistol and returning shot the bird. It drifted down stream an eighth of a mile or more be- fore I found a chance to reach and draw it in with a long pole. September 9, 1898, a large light colored Philadelphus though too low & thin, appears seen by me in the bushes. 56

Phalaropus lobatus. 12 57

Phalaropus hyperboreus. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1874. Aug. 22: Between the Outlet and the Narrows, down the middle of the lake, I saw from the steamboat several of these Phalaropes. Their flight was very like that of the Sandling which they also resemble in general shape and color although they were appreciably smaller. They cir- cled about over the water somewhat in the manner of Gulls, alighting frequently although the wind was blow- ing a gale and the waves rolling high. One, passing with- in a few yards of the boat, turned sharply upwards after a small moth which it chased eagerly for some distance but did not succeed in catching. 1860. Sept. 15. Shot a young female in fall plumage on the bar at the mouth of Cambridge River; it was feeding in company with three Red Phalaropes (see note on this species for for observations on habits etc.). 1861. May 20. Shot two adult males in full breeding plumage on Lake Umbagog near the mouth of Sundy Cove about two hun- dred yards from shore where they were swimming in very deep water. They were evidently feeding for they ad- vanced over the surface in zig-zag lines and, after pro- gressing a few yards took wing and flew back to cover the ground over again. They were very tame, allowing me to paddle within fifteen yards of them. Their mo- tions were exceedingly graceful and they reminded me of Gallinules. The head bobs with each stroke of the foot but it bobs gracefully, while the slender neck is extended quickly on either side as the delicate bills gleans the surface. Their activity surpasses that of any bird with which I am acquainted. Their flight is precisely like that of Tringae. Irises dark hazel, bill black; tarsi and feet dark blue. In good flesh but not fat; their stomachs filled with some half-diges- ted and unrecognizable, soft, animal food. A northeas- terly storm has prevailed for the last four or five days.

Phalaropus lobatus - L. Umbagog, Maine. Phal. hypos Aug 22nd - 1874 / Sept. 15 - I dat / May 20 dat. Phal. hypin Sept. 4th ✓ 1887 88 14039 / 14060 / 14037 / 14038 / Sept. Phal. hyperborea 7 - 22 1903 59

Lobipes hyperboreus 1898. Lake Umbagog. August 23! sea middle of lake. September 8! Off Pine Point 9! September 8 Saw our several times this forenoon while boating between Pine Point and the Outlet. It was very restless as usual alighting on the water many times but came running long in one place. Once it rose from the water & flying nearly horizontally upward to a height of about 5 ft. completed a flying circuit of rather large size and then alighted again on the same spot. I sailed to within 15 or 20 ft. of it on one occasion to make sure of my identification. On rising from the water it usually utters a short grunt, quite any like that of a sandpiper.

Phalaropus lobatus. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1887. Took the steamer at about 9 A.M. and went up the Lake to Sept.4. Moll's Rock where I launched my canoe and paddled over to .the Outlet. Setting sail I ran out into the Lake before a strong, steady breeze. Not over half-a-mile from the Outlet I came upon three Northern Phalaropes bobbing about on the rough water nearly in the middle of the Lake. I shot one with each barrel, both on the water. The third flew off down wind. Following I soon began to see others singly or in twos or together as threes, and once a flock of five. They were very restless and some of them unmistakably shy rising a hundred yards or more ahead skimming close over the surface and alighting a- again. Often one would flutter upwards to a height of fifteen or twenty feet and poise for a moment at the same time shak- ing its wing and tail violently. Their usual flight was pre- cisely like that of a Sandpiper^. The only note that I heard was a short quet very like that of the Sanderling. On the water they acted precisely like those seen in the Gulf in 1881. They were evidently feeding as they swam. I got anoth- er sitting shot at two birds killing one with each barrel.

Phalaropus lobatus. Lake Umbagog. ✓ 1898. While off Pine Point this forenoon we saw a Northern Sept.8. Phalarope starting it a number of times. It was very restless continually making short flights from place to place and bobbing on the waves like a cork. Once I saw it fly straight upward from the water and catch a flying insect, then alight on the spot where it started. I sailed my canoe past it within ten or twelve feet. It called quit, quit when startled. Sept.9. We saw (on the Lake) two Phalaropes. One, a very large light-colored bird, was, I think, a Red Phalarope but it was so far away that I could not make sure of its identity. The other was a young L.hyperboreus. It was sitting on the water and I paddled the boat up to within twenty feet of it when we stopped and watched it for several minutes with our glasses. It was behaving in the most singular way turning around and around very rapidly dozens of times on the same spot and in the same direction thrusting its bill deep down into the water three or four Times during each turn and evidently getting an abundance of food too minute to be visible to our eyes. At length it saw us and stretching up its neck uttered twice a low but distinct scaine almost exactly like that of a Wilson's Snipe. Then it flew giving the usual Sanderling-like quit, quit just as it left the water. It alighted again about 100 yds. off and began fluttering about incircles alternately striking and 62

Phalaropus lobatus. Lake Umbagog. 1898. rising just above the surface for all the world like a big Sept. 9. moth, occasionally rising straight upward to a height of sev- (No.2). eral feet and apparently catching some flying insect. Verily the Northern Phalarope is an erratic little fellow.

Steganopus tricolor. 13 64

Steganopus tricolor L. Umbagog, Maine. Steganopus wilsoni. - Aug. 28 1873. Steganopus wilsoni. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1873. Aug. 28. A flock of four large Phalaropes which I took to be this species came flying in from the Lake and flying with exceeding swiftness, twisting and doubling like Snipe, alightened for a moment in the middle of Cambridge River near its mouth. 1881. May 20. A Phalarope swimming among some drift wood near the Middle Dam permitted me to get so near that I recognized it as an adult female of this species. It finally rose and flew swiftly off over the Lake, the chestnut marking on the wings and back showing conspicuously. 65

Philohela minor. 14 66

Philo dela minor. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1872. June 5. Among the thickly growing young firs and spruces behind the mill I started a female with a brood of four young. Which were so well grown that they looked scarce- ly smaller than the old bird and flew equally well. The ice is said to have gone out of the Lake only three weeks before this date. (1873. June, / taken 95 (2462). Upton Mc., coll W. Brewer. Banded - Sept 2. / taken outside (1873) 1873. Aug. 2. At the lower settlement on the Megalloway I was told that this species had lately appeared and was get- ting abundant. " 12. On the muddy bank of Cambridge River about two miles above the dam, I came upon a Woodcock which was feeding on the edge of the water. Still further up I found the mud, both on the bank and among the alders, bored in many places by these birds. " 14. Again to-day, found numerous borings along the heavily timbered banks of Cambridge River above the dam. Sept. 14. Five more started among the dense young firs and spruces behind the mill. 1874. July 25. Started five from a spring-hole behind the house. Aug. 4. Beat all the cover on Upton Hill without starting a bird. The season is very wet, and it is probably that they have taken to the forest. Sept. 10. Started five and killed four in the cover by the Lake on the Sargent Farm. Only one or two whistled, the others rising with a heavy flumtborland going off si- lontly. They were nearly through the moult however. 1876. June 2. Early in the evening heard one calling in the birches on the edge of Abbott's pasture. Upon comparing his cry with that of the Nighthawks circling over head at the time I found it to be very similar but less loud and more vibrating. The Woodcock finally rose whistling sharply and ascended in an easy spiral to the height of at least six hundred feet, then sang exactly as noted in April 1874, but more feebly. He afterwards uttered his cry for a long time but did not rise again. 67

Philoletla minor. 1876. Maine (Lake Umbagog. June 5. To the hill above Abbott's this evening to hear the Woodcock sing. He began calling shortly after sunset, and a minute or two later ascended into the air when, for the first time, I saw him through the whole performance. Upon beginning his descent his descent his wings were beaten rapidly with intervals of sailing between; a little lower down he began darting in zig-zag lines with arrow-like speed tracing a course not unlike that pursued by a flash of lightening. A liquid gush of song accompanied each swoop. In this way he came down nearly to the ground then with set wings pitched headlong to the spot whence he had risen. The bursts of melody corresponded so closely with each swoop of the zig-zag descent that it really seemed as if the sound may have been produced by his wings. " 11. To the hill behind Abbot's this evening to hear the Woodcock. He ascended only once, and then but a little way, whistling faintly with his wings but not singing. 1879. June 12. Started three old birds along Peaslee's brook. " 2 Started an old bird in a thicket of spruces. " 22. Unusually abundant this season. I see them almost daily, especially in thickets of "savins"--as the young firs and spruces are termed here. 1880. May 16. Two singing in the Peaslee clearing this evening. " 17. Set B-4. Incubated four days--ground in side of low mound partially overshadowed by fir shrubs. Female sitting; she rose at least fifteen feet ahead, soaring directly to the top of the trees, whistling faintly, then disappearing. Male started about fifty yards from the spot. In second-growth wild cherry, poplar, yellow birch and alder by the lake shore. Vicinity of the nest very swampy and wet, and the mound upon which it was placed surrounded by pools of stagnant water.

Philoletta minor. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1880. May 17. Set G-4. Fresh--high ground, at foot of two or three leafless bush maples, partially concealed and over- spread by branches of little fir. Female sitting; I stepped within six inches of her before she rose, when she flew directly away whistling faintly, and crossed an open pasture to some thickets beyond. Male started about forty yards off. This nest was practically in the open pasture, or rather the corner of it where the ad- joining coppice had thrown out a scattering fringe of saplings; the ground was high and dry--a steep bank, in fact, bordering the lake. Philoletta minor. 1880. Maine (Lake Umbagog). (May 23) One singing this evening by the roadside above Peaslees. His song as I once described it is most like the notes of a water-whistle and is certainly very rich and sweet. In the case of this performer it was also well sustained. I was sufficiently near him to hear the choking pt-ul which precedes each utterance of the harsh pa'a'a'a; the latter is like the twang of a bow-string. June 4. Exceedingly abundant here this season; we started four old birds on one spot on Peaslee's Brook this morn- ing. Mr. Godwin reports seeing a nest with four eggs at the Middle Dam yesterday. A river driver happened to see the sitting bird and stooping, lifted her off the eggs and brought her to camp. She was liberated short- ly afterwards and returned immediately to the nest. The next day an ox stepped in in it and broke all the eggs. Sept. 2. " 3. Two moulting; shot among brakes by the lake shore. Found two behind More's, one in alders, the other in scattered birches on the hill-side. The latter bird alighted on the smooth turf within ten yards of me, run- nng a few steps and then squatting in the foot-print of an ox. " 4. One shot in a cornfield on Upton Hill. " 8. One among birches and poplars on Abbott's hill. 69

Philo chela minor. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1881. May 13. My setter found and pointed a female as she sat on the nest. I nearly touched her back before she flew. She rose heavily without whistling, and dropped again within twenty feet. We had previously started a male about fifty yards away; he flew directly towards the nest and alighted within fifteen feet of it. When the female was flushed he also rose with a heavy flutter and dropping to the ground again simulated lameness. The locality was a thicket of mixed yellow spruces, birches, and willows with openings at frequent intervals, a favor- ite haunt of these birds in September when they lie con- cealed there among the tall ferns. The nest was on the top of a little mound partially protected from the wea- ther, and from observation, by the overhanging branch of a small spruce. The four eggs which it contained, lay in a deep saucer-shaped hollow lined with a few dry leaves; they looked fresh but I did not disturb them. " 14. Heard one singing a number of times this evening by the roadside near Peaslee's. (May 15). Visited the place where I heard the bird singing last evening. My setter found him in small, thinly- growing willows near the fence. Upon flushing him he simply topped the fence and alighted in a pool of water on the other side, standing in the usual attitude with- out showing any fear of us. He was calling last night in the open pasture inside the fence. He is an unusu- ally fine singer, his water-whistle notes being full and sweet. " 16. One sang several times this evening in the Abbott clearing. He was by far the finest singer I over heard, his water notes being of rare tone and sweetness and his song lasted nearly half a minute, each note ringing out clear and distinct above the rushing wind and splashing rain. " 19. For the past two years Woodcock have been numerous in the second growth about the Middle Dam; but last year three of their nests were broken up by cattle, and eighteen birds were killed there in September. This year not one has been either seen or heard in the vicini- ty.

Philohela minor. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1882. Oct. 9-22 Two or three in every good cover. I found, however, that when killed no others took their places and I fail- ed to detect evidence of any flight from the north. Alva tells me, however, that during a snow-storm on October 4 and 5 1881, he and Mr. Betton killed twelve and saw as many more in a piece of poplars behind the Lake House. 1883. Oct. 17. Two among some thick spruces near the Lake shore. " 18. Shot one among ferns near the Lake shore.

Philo dela minor. Lake Umbagog. New England. Nest /4 (2832), May 14, 1896, coll.W.Brewster. Bird flushed from nest. Eggs fresh. Near Lakeside, Brown Farm. Female rose at 8 or 10 feet, flew slow, legs hanging, not whistling. Nest diam., top 7 in., depth hollow I 3/4 in. In springy run, wooded sparsely with willows, cornels, firs, etc. Sunny openings. Nest on mound in opening among blueberry bushes, etc. (cf. notes). . Two eggs (2838), May 13, 1896, coll.Wm.Brewster. Bird started in same cover and male sang near (300 yards off) but no seen bird on nest. Eggs fresh. Lakeside Farm. Nest of dead leaves in hollow below balsam 2 I/2 feet high, on edge of open knoll wooded with poplars, etc. Nest in exposed position but hidden a- bove and on three sides by the balsam branches. Midway (30 ft.) between edge of field and wet alder swamp.

Philohela minor. L. Umbagog, Maine. Philohela minor. - July 21; Aug. 7, 12, 20; Sept. 14 1873. Philohela minor. - June 5; started a ♂ with four large young in the leaves. July 25^2. Sept. 10^2-14^2 1874 June 2-5 1876 / May 16^2 17 2 mates - 23^2 Sept. 2^2-3^2 Sept. 4 am. 8^2 / May 13 1881 nest 14^2 15^2 16^2 / Oct. 20^2 15^- 17^2 Philohela minor. Oct, 13, 23, 25, 29 ✓ 1884. Philohela minor. - Oct. 4^- 12^- 21^2 Philohela minor. Oct, 14^2 15^2 16^2 1885. 1886. Sept. 1887 Sept. 12^0 - 2^2-3^2-4^2-5^2-6^2-9^2-10^- 12^2-15^2-16^3-17^2-19^- 21^- 23^2-24^- 25^- 26^2 Philohela 17. 4^2-5^3-6^3-9^2 10^- 12^2 1888 Philohela Sept. 4^7-5^3_10^2-11^2-12^2 1889 69 Philohela Sept. 21^- 22^7 23^8 24^5 25^7 26^2 27^- 29^2 Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1890. Oct. 16^13^2 Lake Umbagog, Me. Sept. & Oct. 1893. Philohela minor. Sept. 22, young bird in nest (nest). 1896. Lake Umbagog. Philohela minor May 12 ^{1/4} (Mona Cheney) " 13 ^{3/4} (Sargent) " 14 ^{3/4} & nest 2^0 (Sargent) " 15-3 fledged 1 Ballside Sargent farm * clearip. 17^{1/2} (Ballside 18 " 18 3 fledged 1 (Ballside) 19^2 20^1 clearing /. Ballside 73

Philoela minor. Philoela minor ✓ Flight at Upton, Maine. Alva Coolidge tells me that he and Mr. Betton killed twelve Woodcock among some poplar sprouts behind the bell house on the evening of Oct. 4 & morning of Oct. 5th. There had been a snow storm on the 4th & the weather was very cold. The whole area of these poplars is less than an acre. They did not kill all that they saw. Upton, Maine Oct. 4-5, 1891 Lake Umbagog, Maine. Philoela minor Habits 1889 Sept. 4 Woodcock run almost invariably some distance before a dog before rising. Often they run to the extreme edge of the corn, then they finally flush They are very adroit at going off in line with some brush that intervenes between them & the sportsman. If they can once locate the latter They rarely will fly towards him. Of five birds started to-day three whistled, two run with a heavy flutter away like a half grown Grouse. Three of the five lay among alders on wet ground, two (the flutterers) were among brakes on dry ground.

Philo heta minor. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1896 Philohela minor May 16 Nest near Ballside Found by W. B. 3 P. M. 2 eggs no bird at nest but one flushed about 30 yards off under dense thrones. At 7.30 & began jumping on hill top, fewly 300 yards from nest. Sang persistently for next half hour or more going up once every 1 to 2 minutes (trilled) fine song. Song flights 50 to 55 seconds, ascent 30 seconds, rolling tumbling & to 60 seconds, Song before in local vicinity 10 to 12 seconds May 17 Nest evidently deserted (perfectly before we first found it) Photographed it took the two eggs which found fresh. bird near it to-day but & flushed 50 yds off. Nest on dry birch flat limb 10 yds from Ballside field 4 10 yds. from alder thicket. At one of its whistling fin (8 ft. high) The crown lateral, dropping branches bending down around it concealing it on 3 inches. May 16 & singing on hill this am. 300 yds off " 17 " " " " 19 " " " " 20 " " " Lake Umbagog, Maine. Philo heta minor 1888 Utility of wing whistling With most birds, at least, vocal notes doubtless serve chiefly as calls to inform stragglers of the whereabouts of their companions. The Woodcock has no vocal note when flying does not then, the whistling of the wings take the place of a vocal call. It is given equally by both sexes at all seasons save during the month when the birds keep very quiet. 75

Philohela minor. Lake Umbagog. 1887, September 15. Woodcock shooting on the road to Andover. Starting at 9 A.M. I drove through Upton to the bridge over the Swift Cambridge. First tried the edges of the farm beyond but they are not suitable grounds for Woodcock and I saw no signs of birds there. On a knoll just beyond the bridge, however, I found three cock and on a hillside opposite two more, killing all five in six shots. All were among brakes, quite outside the woods in openings among pasture spruces. They were fine birds in nearly full autumnal feather and shrill "whistles" rising strongly and flying fast. September 17. Woodcock shooting in Sargent opening. To the extreme upper end of the Sargent clearing (where the Mollidgewank path enters the woods) in the forenoon, having heard of woodcock there. This report proved true for I found four birds and shot three of them. All were among brakes, two on the edge of spruces, the other two quite in the open. The first two birds were very shy and cunning, rising and flying so as to keep out of sight behind the spruces.

Philo h ela minor. 1887, Lake Umbagog. September 26. Woodcock at Sluice. While the guides were breaking camp I went in search of the Woodcock that has whistled past our camp these two nights past. He came from the ridge to the north and I found his signs there among some brakes, but failed to flush him. On the knoll just south of the dam, however, "Don" pointed two birds in the open just outside a thicket of alders. I missed a perfectly fair shot at the first but afterwards killed him by a snap shot in the al- ders. The other I killed at the first rise. There was not the smallest bush within thirty yards of where these birds lay. 1889, September 23. (Alva Coolidge) . . tells me that he has seen Woodcock on the Cupsuptic carry and at Lake Parmacheenee. 1890, Lake Umbagog. September 25. On the drive home (from Pearley's White's ) in the twi- light we overtook Charlie Brown who a moment afterward turned into a cart path which leads to his house and immediately shouted to us, "Come and kill a Woodcock." I took my gun and hurried to the spot where I found a large Woodcock sitting on the edge of mud puddle. I flushed it three times in succession but owing to the dim light was unable to see it after it left the ground. It returned to the puddle each time in less than half a minute, dropping on the edge of the water as lightly as a big ball of thistle down. Once it

Philoelia minor. 1890, September 25. Lake Umbagog. (2) strutted a few feet with tail erect and spread like a fan. It would run before us for several yards before taking wing, moving with a fine, mincing gait. When flying it made a peculiarly sil- very, musical whistle differect, it seemed to me, from the sound of the wings by day, but still evidently made by the wings. October 16. Lake Umbagog. Megalloway River. On searching the lower landing we went on shore on the right bank and beat a large alder cover for Woodcock. Found no signs of them here but a little below in a springy piece of low alders intermixed with young larches we started two of which M. killed one and I the other. I saw my bird on the ground ahead of the dog. It was not squatting but was standing in a rather erect position, perfectly motionless. 1896, May 19. Lake Umbagog. At evening walked to the Brown clearing. On the way there heard our Lakeside Woodcock "peep" and "puttle" eight or ten times in the cover just above the road (several rods in) before he flew out into the pasture to begin his regular serenade.

Philotula minor. 1897. Lake Umbagog. May 10¹/₂: Betula 11²/₄ 12¹/₄ 14³/₄ 15' 16²/₄ 17²/₄ &c found near bottom. / (Walter) 18 only at var. soapwort foam. 19 (sedge)

Philohela minor. L. = near Ballside L. H. = " Ball House. 1896 Lake Umbagog. September 25 & shot by two L.H at evening, L. do 4 September - 27 flying 1897 September 2-3 seen 2 shots L. (bargy) 25' (cloud) 1898 September 26 (migrin)

Philohela minor Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1889 Maine Sept. 4 S. Umbago - Started seven in the mossy run ground and shot Whistling four. Five whistled loudly, two rose with a heavy flutter & fluttering I shot both of the flutters and found that they lacked the "whistling quills." The two whistlers that I killed both had those quills. All four birds were in full mount covered with fine feathers. They all lay on springy or dry ground near springs among alders. Two birds acted very oddly, flying only a few yards at a time and running swiftly in Main right as soon as they alighted. They running came in dense alders & I actually failed to overtake and get them fairly on wing so both escaped although the dog headed them a long distance.

Philo h ela minor. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Nest and eggs. 1896. Watrous and I spent the better part of the forenoon in May 14. the woods and thickets at the east end of the Brown clearing. Our especial object was to find the Woodcock's nest which I was lucky enough to stumble on after about an hour's search. It was near the lower end of the run about midway between the cart path and the road on a low mound covered with blueberry bushes and dead brakes, surrounded by scattered willows, spruces and balsams but in an opening fully exposed to the sun. I had stopped for a moment to look around when the bird rose within about 3 ft. of me and I at once saw the nest and e ggs . The latter were quite fresh but two of them had cracks radiating from a common centre and making us think at first that the eggs were about to hatch. I took five photographs of this nest.

Philoleta minor. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Beautiful song. 1896. Watrous and I this evening after a walk retraced our May 14. steps to the Sargent pasture where we found two Woodcock sing- ing and peeping, both unusually fine performers with full, rich voices. Perhaps this rarefied air helped them a bit but certain it is that I never remember to have heard such sweet and strong singers before. It is surprising that anyone can deny its great musical merit. It does not suffer by compari- son with the many fine bird songs of this region but, on the contrary, seems to be one of the most delightful of them all. The birds were about 200 yards off, one in a perfectly open rough, hummocky pasture 100 yards from any cover, the other on a springy flat sparsely covered with young willows, maples and other saplings.

Philo dela minor. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Nest and eggs. 1896. Last night we heard a Woodcock peeping and singing (for May 16. the first time) on the knoll S.E. of the house. We searched for the nest this P.M. following the edge of the woods from the hilltop down. About 50 yards below the road Watrous flushed a bird among dense spruces. 30 yards further down on the edge of the little fern-grown opening within 20 yards of the Lake - the opening where I have shot so many Woodcock in Septembers past - I found the nest. It was at the foot of a little balsam (2 ft. high) on a mound covered with dry brakes and so conspicuously placed that I saw the two eggs 15 yards away, for the bird was not sitting. This nest was within 20 yds. of one that I found in 1880.

Philohera minor. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Peeping. 1896. At evening went up to the knoll behind the barn to hear May 16. the Woodcock. He came flying from the cover at 7.30 and skim- ming close over the ground alighted well out in the field and began peeping. For half an hour or more he sang at least as often as once in two minutes and sometimes at intervals of only a minute. Once I watched him through my glass during his entire flight but made out nothing new. He pitched down very steep inclines while singing. He had no particular peep- ing station but alighted at different places. This pasture is fully 300 yards from the nest. I doubt if the peeping can be heard at all at the nest but the song can be, easily.

Philoela minor. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Singing. 1896. Our Lakeside Woodcock fairly outdid himself to-night. May 17. He began peeping at about 7.30 in the field below the road a- bout ten yards from the edge of the cover and not over 60 yards from the nest. I thought at first that he was going to sing here but after peeping at rather wide and irregular intervals for a few minutes he rose and flew to the top of the hill be- hind the barn (the old place), skimming low over the ground but rising four or five feet above the top spread strand of the barbed wire fence as if aware of its position and danger. Upon reaching the hill-top he began his song flights going up every minute or minute and a half for the next half hour but ceasing before it became quite dark. His mate probably laid her third egg to-day but we did not visit the nest to see.

Philohela minor. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1897. Shortly after sunset Watrous and I paddled across the May 17. Lake to the Sargent farm. Landing at the head of the cove we walked up past the deserted house into the pasture where we found two Woodcock in full song. They were in exactly the same places respectively where the two birds sang last year. Furthermore every one of the peeping and singing stations near Lakeside occupied last year has its bird this season. What does it mean? Either the birds are the same individuals or the particular spots of turf over which they run and peep every evening have certain attractions obvious to all their tribe. It can scarcely be mere coincidence for the pastures are all large and two of them certainly twenty or thirty acres each while the particular spots which the birds use do not seem to differ in any way from the rest of these open, turfy pasture lands. If the birds are really the same it is a mira- ole that so many have escaped the dangers of the journey southward last autumn and the return this spring. Thus far three & the small we have found five singers here, and there east of Lakeside, two to the westward in the Sargent opening. During at least two nights the past week the Woodcock nearest Lakeside sang steadily up to 10 P.M. and no doubt much later. The moon was nearly full. The first night was clear, the second rainy but with the moon breaking through the clouds at short intervals.

Philoohela minor. Bethel, Maine. 1904 October 18 At evening as twilight was falling Dr.Gehring heard Woodcock rising and flying from place to place in the birch woods below the house. One of them alighted in the opening in front of the Shack and ran and flitted from place to place along the margin of the little pond. Dr.G. saw it repeatedly jerk up and spread its tail while thus moving about. Presently another bird came flying to the pond and the first removed to the lower spring where it uttered the paap call a number of times. The second bird was seen to answer this call once. It behaved much like the first but did not jerk up nor spread its tail while Dr.G. was watching it. He thinks he heard at least five or six different birds rise from this cover to-night. (I heard one there the following evening).

Lake Umbagog. 1909. June 20. At evening Chapman and I walked to the Tyler Bay. As we Woodcock were following a wood road over the crest of the hill on the old And Young. Abbott Farm we started a Woodcock from the path. She flew only a few yards and then began beating her wings on the ground at the same time keeping up a low mewing not unlike that of a Cat-bird. This was evidently designed to attract our notice to her and to lead us away from her young. We stood still and she soon ceased fluttering and began to run about, uttering a wholly different sound, very duck-like in character and closely resembling the low conversational quacking that Black Ducks make when a number are feeding in company. This we inter- preted as a note of warning to the young, bidding them keep still. We could find only one of them, a bird as large as a Bluebird, still cover- ed with down but with the wing quills sprouting. It sat on the ground in the path with head and neck up like a bird on the nest—a marvellous— ly beautiful little creature. Not a muscle did it move when we stoop- ed low over it. We kept motionless not far off for several minutes but the mother would not come to it. When we returned twenty minutes later it and the mother had disappeared. 89

Gallinago delicata.

Gallinago delicata. L. Umbagog, Maine. Gallinago wilsoni - Aug. 19, 28; Sept. 18, 18 1873. Sept. 3^3 - 8^3 9^1 1874 / Sept. 3^2 - 4^3 - 5^2 - 6^3 9^3 11^2 - 13^1 - 14^2 = 15^1 (moon) 16^14 / 18^2 - 19^2 Oct. 9^2 - 11^20 - 13^2 - 14^15 - 21^2 - 28^2 ✓ Gallinago wilsoni, Oct 12, 17, 18, 27 1884. Gallinago wilsoni. Oct. 9^13 10^2 - 12^3 13^1 - 15^2 - 19^2 1885. Gallinago wilsoni - Oct. 13^6 - 14^4 - 15^4 - 16^1 - 18^1 - 22^1 1886. Gallinago wilso 9^1 - 10^1 - 12^1 - 24^1 - 26^1 Sept. 1887. Sept. Gallinago 5^1 - 17^15 - 21^2 - 22^3 - 23^2 - 24^4 - 25^2 Oct. 4^6 - 6^5 - 9^1 - 10^1 1888 Gallinago Sept. 14^10 - 17^1 - 18^10 - 23^1. 1889 Oct. 21^2 - 30 ' started by wanderers in meadow & after just N. of the notch. 70 Gallinago Sept. 20 (crockets) - 22 (kings) - 28 (crockets). Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1890. Oct. 5^7 - 6^4 - 7^15 - 8^40 - 9^26 c 10^5 c - 13^4 12^3 - 13^1 Lake Umbagog, Me. Sept. & Oct. 1893. Gallinago delicata Sept. 25^2 26^2 27^2 28^6 30 moon at crimp. Oct. 2 15^2 Moon At or arriving 3 ^ at evening - * also heard at Moon Pt. drunk & well 13 ' also Cartidge) Lake Umbagog, Maine. Gallinago delicata 1894 September 4^3 - 10 (moon) 6 - 11 (moon) 4 - 12^15 " 13 10 Bean Brads " 13 10 Drills morulus (evening) " 20 ^ 21 / 30 evening. " * 21 (8 or 10) twilight 22^35 - 1 twilight * 3 times " 23 by nature 26 ' meadoway & 28 (moon) " 29 (at evening) - October / 32 c. flushed by day / the great flight is swarms heard at evening / of the known variety 1895. Sept. 9 (cutted) 12 (dr) 15 moon Pt. (Mr Serpent) 17 ' twilight on 4 flushed 10 hand in also meadow.

Gallinago delicata. m. P. = Moore Point 1898 September m. P. m. P. m. P. upon 22 sea beach at 23 s'gached 24 5 26 shore in alders sea by meadow at an. from Moss's, by J. C. Alders the marshes around the lower were inundated during the the dunes certain months but a few nests were found not coming near alders moss Point. On the 26th Wadlin had a snap in three alders on the moss near Moss point while beating for Woodcock 1900. September 7 8 9 14 202, Canals Pass. 21' 92

Gallinago wilsoni. 1873. Maine (Lake Umbagog). Aug. 19. Heard one at the Outlet shortly after dark, Sept. 17 Four were started on the Cambridge River meadows, S " 18. Eight were startedon the meadows. 1880. Sept. 3. As it was getting dark this evening a pair of Snipe rose from the marsh and climbed the rosy westerk sky until lost in the gloom above whence their hearse scaina came back through the still air. " 4. Shot three on the Cambridge River meadows near the edge of the lower pond. Here rank grass grew in scattered clumps with bare spaces between covered with a velvety turf of emerald-green moss. The ground was everywhere moist and spongy, and there were occasional depressions filled with soft mud and a little water and fairly perforated by Snipe "borings". " 6. Flushed one three times on the meadows. It rose with a heavy whirring of the wings and flew off in a perfectly straight course and in silence. At the third rise it took a long flight and alighted on the edge of the woods in a deep dry grassy ditch. In the evening twilight as I was paddling up river a Snipe shot close over the boat, its wings making a distinct rushing sound. " 11. Entering the patch of meadow where I find most of these birds now, my eye happened to light on a bare space among the rushes and in the very middle was a Snipe standing erect and still. The next moment my setter gallopped past and getting the bird's wind wheeled and came to a point. The Snipe, meanwhile, had skulked under an overhanging leaf of pickerel weed where it squatted in plain sight. It wa a beautiful tableau.--the graceful game bird covering under its slight protection and the intelligent dog, rigid as a statue, staring with fixed eyes and pinkled forehead at the spot whence the hot scent came to his dilated nostrils. The cool breeze rustled among the leaves and played with the fringe on the dogs tail. Overhead a fish hawk was circling; a flock of Titlarks whirled by and a Heron hanked harshly somewhere in the marsh beyond; but the three figures in this central group remained immovable for I had caught something of the setter's spirit and felt reluctant to break the spell. Finally the end came as it always must. The Snipe sprang lightly into the air and dashed off in zig-zagf flight, the loud report of the gun rolled over the quiet meadow echoing back from the woods beyond, a few feathers floated on the breeze, and the bird fell lifeloss into the tall grass.

Gallinago wilsoni. Maine (Lake Umbagog). 1880. (Sept. 13) Judging from the numerous “borings” and other signs there must have been at least a dozen Snipe on the me- dow last night but we found only one bird there this morning. The night was just such a one as they commonly choose for migrating, clear, with soft southerly wind and nearly full moon. “ 15. A flock of nine, evidently migrating, came in over the marsh, flying in a bunch like bay-birds. They swept down over one or two favorite spots, then mounting high in the air, went out over Upton Hill. Another bunch of four alighted in the marsh. A driving north- easterly storm at the time, rain falling in torrents. “ 16. Started about a dozen on the marshes near the Out- let. Several lay closely till I passed, then rose two or three gun shots behind me. I came upon one in the very middle of a creek squatting on the surface of the water; his head and neck flattened as if he were on land. After flushing him I examined the spot and found the water only about three inches deep. “ 19. Started four on the meadows below the house. “ 20. Started three on the meadows below the house. 1882. Oct. 9-22 Exceedingly abundant. The marshes were in perfect condition this year and I had fine Snipe shooting, some- times starting as many as thirty in a few hours. Six or eight were seen October 21, and three October 28 (C.F. Batchelder). 1883. Oct. 17. Shot one on the meadow. “ 19. Shot seven.

Gallinago delicata. Gallinago wilsoni Oct. 19 I shot three snipe to-day on the meadows near the mouth of Cambridge River on the 17th the ther. fell to 12° and yesterday to 9°. On both days the meadows were frozen hard until nearly noon. Oct. 26th started three snipe to-day. " 23. " shooting on the meadows at the Outlet. The meadows at the time were frozen hard enough to bear me (ther 10° this morning) & all the meadow pools are frozen solid, Oct. 19, 1853

Callinago delicata. was closed by ice. Many birds are said to remain in Maine all winter. In the woods near here, moorhen returning to the meadow towards noon. Most than birds about were either the meadows are first freezing. Good - in the morning on March - 18th from the banks of the Wachuset. Oct. 23rd. Less than 7 hours sunshine today and frost. One full yesterday and frost. One bird was on the western edge and a nearby point. He fled east and did not return before flying. Oct. 26th, saw a kite diving round & about in rainy land at the town. Oct. 29th. Rain now. Oct. 31st. Not two in August.

Gallinago wilsoni. 1890, Maine - Oct. 8, L. Umbagog, — A steady rain which began yesterday P.M. continued through the night changing to snow towards morning. At 7 A.M. the ground was covered to the depth of about of two inches Snow continued falling during the entire forenoon but the amount on the ground did not increase as it melted as fast as, or faster than, it fell There were no Snipe on the meadows which were everywhere covered with snow but we found about 40 in Leonard's Pond. Their behaviour was remarkable. When first started they rose fully 200 yds. ahead of my boat in two flocks one of which contained at least thirty birds, After we had followed them about for an hour or two and fired a few shotsat them they scattered some what but during the entire day they kept more or less in flocks and continued exceedingly shy, usually rising out of gun range and, after flying about for some time at a great height pitching down to the shores of the pond again. When in flocks they acted exactly like Tringae flying in close bunches and alighting all together. During the entire forenoon they fed in the busiest and most unconstrained manner on the bare mud along the water's edge. I repeatedly saw a dozen or more thus engaged on a space of only a few yards square and more than once could have killed half the number at one shot so closely did they huddle together. On one occasion I saw four crowding about a little pocket-shaped mud hole probing their heads actually touching at times. Occasionally one would

(Continued) Gallinago wilsoni. 1890. Maine.. L. Umbagog; - Oct. 8, utter a low purring sound which was usually answered by most of the birds in the vicinity and sometimes by those on the opposite of the pond. This sound which I have never heard before was evidently a call-note. Although very different from the ordinary flight note (scaipe) it appeared to be really a modification of that note the latter uttered in a low, measured, somewhat drawling tone. Its tone was curiously subdued or muffled as if the bird's mouth was full of something and often it was difficult to tell from whence the sound came. As our boat approached these feeding Snipe they would stand erect, stretch up their necks to their utmost height look- ing at a distance very like a Plover, then at a given signal take wing all at once long before we were within gun-range. By using great caution we paddled to within less than twenty feet of a single bird and which I watched through my glass at this dis- tance for over half an hour. Although it was feeding busily during the whole of this time it did not cover a color space of more than ten yards. In fact it spent most of the time on three small spots each of which it explored with the utmost thoroughness often probing the ground a hundred times or more before taking another step. Where the mud was rather hard and not covered with water it fed much in the manner of a Sandpiper rarely driving its bill in, more than half an inch and often picking up morsels from the surface the head bobbing up and down much like that of a Spar- row's when engaged in picking up seeds and so rapidly that I found it impossible to count the number of motions per minute. 97

( Continued) Gallinago wilsoni. 1890, Maine Oct. 8, L. Umbagog; - Where the mud was softer the bill was thrust in deeper but rarely to its base, excepting at one period when the bird waded out into the water up to its belly and probed for a several minutes immersing the entire bill as well as the head up to the eyes at each thrust and sometimes plunging the whole head under the surface. These deep thrusts were performed more slowly and often with marked deliberation the bill at times being kept in the mud for a full second or two, sometimes motionless, some- times working slightly up and down or from side to side . When boring in soft mud the bird usually inserted its bill with the mandibles from I/8 to I/4 of an inch apart at the tip always closing it at the completion of the thrust and sometimes, when it held it in the mud for a little while, closing and opening it several times in succession with a champing motion. It found an abundance of food . In fact at every third or fourth thrust on the average, it drew up something which it worked up quickly into to the mouth and at once swallowed. Twice I saw distinctly a small worm ( not an earthworm) about I/4 of an inch long wriggling and wrapping itself about the end of the bird's bill but usually I could make out nothing beyond the working motion of the bill and the evident act of swallowing. I was quite at a loss to under- stand how the object was transferred from the tip of the long bill by which it was certainly seized, back to the mouth, for the bill was never raised but was invariably held inclining decidedly down- ward during the operation.

(Continued) Gallinago wilsoni. 1890. Maine. Oct.8, L. Umbagog; The bill during the operation of boring was held at varying angles sometimes vertically but usually inclining forward at a greater or less angle. This Snipe at all times when under my observation was singular- ly beautiful & graceful as well as interesting bird, very plump and rounded in outlines, alert and energetig in movement. The light markings of the back were arranged in three perfectly straight and even narrow lines separated by much broarder dark stripes and the stripes on the head were equally marked and reg- ular. The tips of the wings were usually carried a little below the tail which was raised slightly above the line of the back but sometimes the tips of the wings were pressed tightly against the sides of the rump & the tail depressed as thebird is usually mounted by our taxidermists. The carriage of the body was ordina- rilt crouching with the back strongly arched the neck drawn in the head a little below the back but when the bird paused a mo- ment to rest and look around the head was raised and thrown back while the bill was nearly or quite touchedthe swelling curvature of the breast. When alarmed the bird, as already stated, would stretch up its neck to a surprising height holding the bill straig- ht forward in the manner of a Sandpiper. I shot this Snipe (with much reluctance) and examined his throat & stomach carefully. In the throat I found a single

(Continued) Gallinago wilsoni. I890. Maine. small, flesh colored worm apparently not an earth worm Oct. 8,L. Umbagog; - but not unlike one in general appearance. The stomach contained a mass of half digested matter among which the only recognizable objects were the legs and wing-coverts of many small water beetles. I found numerous remains of these beetles in other Snipes shot to-day. 1890. L. Umbagog;- Gallinago wilsoni. Oct, 20, Maine. About the 20th Alva Coolidge started several Snipe in a springy run (free from bushes) in a pasture near the top of Upton Hill. The Lake meadows were flooded at this time.

Gallinago delicata. 1887, Lake Umbagog. September 24. In the alder-unbowed reaches at the head of the (B.) meadows a Snipe started from the bank. I fired large shot at it and missed. It alighted on the mud a short distance ahead and crouched behind a tussock. September 26. Lumen's keen eyes detected the Snipe (on B meadows) as he skulked behind a tussock on the edge of the water. We paddled to within ten yards of him but he remained perfectly motionless, squatting on the mud his bill slightly raised, his large eyes glistening in the light. Finally I clapped my hands and he rose dropping dead in the meadow grass at my shot. 1888, Head of Lake Umbagog. October 6. When the Scaup Ducks rose a Snipe also started near us and I shot it. Afterward saw three at Moose Point. They rose from the grass where the water was a foot deep. 1893, Lake Umbagog. September 30. At the Outlet of Lake The marshes to-day, as on our former visits, were simply covered with chalkings which, as we could start no Snipe, I at- tributed to the Grass Birds but as night was falling, while we were lying in wait for Ducks, the Snipe appeared in considerable numbers coming singly, evidently from a considerable distance and from every direction, circling over the marsh at a great height and then shooting down nearly vertically on half closed wings.

Gallinago delicata. 1893, Lake Umbagog. September 30. At the outlet of Lake. (2) Those that passed near us made a noise (doubtless caused by the air very rushing through their wings) nearly like the hiss of a whip lash. It is evident that these birds feed at Moose Point only at night and spend the day in places where there is more cover. 1894, Lake Umbagog. September 22. Moose Point. As the twilight deepened Snipe began flying about over the marshes and one of them drummed thrice in quick succession. Several shot past close over my head, making the same rushing sound that I noted last evening. One descending with exceptional velocity made a sharp whizzing sound. 1896, Lake Umbagog. September 7. Leonard's Pond. There were also four Snipe but they were so very wild that I could not get near them. Although the day was now clear and warm they avoided the grass and kept alighting on the open mud where they would run a few yards and then crouch behind some in- equality in the flat surface.

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1894. As I entered the mouth of the river a Snipe rose and Sept. 10. pitched down on the further bank. When I neared the spot I saw it standing rather erect on the bare but hillocky ground. I ran the canoe within ten feet of it before it crouched and sprang. Seven others rose at the same time. I fired a quick right and left and got both birds. The survivors flew off in a close bunch, wheeled and circled over the marshes and final- ly alighted all together precisely like Tringae. I was sur- prised to see Snipe act in this manner at such a time for the sun was shining dimly and there was a bright light. Sept. 12. I beat a portion of the marsh with the little spaniel (Hadji) who put up three Snipe one of which I shot. This bird rose ahead of the dog from some tall grass and alighted - af- ter flitting eight or ten yards - on a perfectly bare, level stretch of mud where it stood erect evidently watching the dog. When I advanced it squatted and then rose flying off very swiftly until stopped by my charge. 103

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1894. Besides the Ducks a great many Wilson's Snipe arrived Sept.12. (we were at Jim's shooting stand on the Outlet marshes): sin- gly, in twos or threes, and sometimes six or seven together. They would first appear at a height of 100 or 200 feet and then pitch down on set wings making a loud rushing sound exact- ly similar and quite equal in volume to that made by the de- scending Ducks. They "scarped", also, continually, in deep, hoarse tones different, it seemed to me, from those used by daylight. 104

Galinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1394. I listened in vain for any other of the sounds of spring Sept. 21. until presently a Snipe drummed directly overhead. Soon after- ward I heard another and then another, until at one time they were drumming on every side and almost incessantly. The marsh- es were evidently alive with them to-night, for besides the drumming birds I saw dozens of others, cutting to and fro against the faint light in the western sky. As they shot down to their feeding grounds, their wings made a rushing sound so exactly like that of Duck's wings, that I was constantly de- ceived. When they merely flitted from one mud bank to the next, their wings rustled loudly. They used only the scaipe cry when flying, but the feeding birds kept up a constant call- ing to one another, making a low but penetrating kup, kr-r-uck, very like the call of the Florida Gallinule. I think that I have identified this cry before, but it puzzled me, at first, this evening. As a rule only two birds were calling at one time, one appearing to answer the other. The call was varied a good deal in both form and tone. At times it was not unlike the kep of a Carolina Rail, but there can be no doubt that the Snipe were the authors of the sound. These Snipe were feeding on small isolated lumps and hummocks of mud which were sur- rounded by water six to eight inches in depth. They came to- this place from every direction and some of them evidently from long distances.

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. The ground where so many birds were feeding last evening, although everywhere 1894. "choked" and 'fired', harbored only a single Snipe this morning. At least I At length from some long grass near the river bank I put transferred over it for an hour without disturbing any others. Sept. 22. up over twenty birds in the course of ten or fifteen minutes. all Twelve of them rose at once and went off in a compact flock like Sandpipers, mounting high into the air, circling, and finally pitching down and alighting not far from the spot, where they started. They were very wild at first but after I had fired a few shots at them and scattered them, they lay better. Still I was forced to content myself with long shots most of the time, and consequently missed a number of times. When I returned to the boat and counted my birds I found that I had bagged eleven. I do not remember to have ever before seen Wilson's Snipe behave in the manner just described when the sky was so abso- lutely clear and the sun so hot. Moreover, I saw a good many birds on the ground standing erect watching me or running with skulking, crouching gait over spaces of bare mud, and this is unusual save in cloudy weather. 26. On the Megalloway, a little above the Hannah landing, a Wilson's Snipe kept flying along ahead of our boat like a Sandpiper, alighting on the bare mud at the water's edge. It was too long to allow us to approach within gunshot. Oct. 1. On the flats opposite Leonard's Pond I started by actual count thirty two different birds. With a single exception every one of them flew out of sight, the majority of them going up the Megalloway valley. Nearly all of them rose very wild, so that I had only a few really good shots. I missed at least half of them and bagged only four birds. The sun was 106

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1894. shining bright and warm all the time I was on the meadow and Oct. 1. there was either no wind or but a gentle breeze. Many of the (No.2). birds rose from mud flats where there was absolutely no cover. They flew with unusual swiftness, a characteristic, as I have often observed, of freshly arrived birds. They also "bunched" and went off in small compact flocks like Tringae. I do not doubt doubt that there were fully fifty-and perhaps twice as many- Snipe on the meadows to-day. Late in the afternoon I sailed across the Lake again and running the canoe into a shallow creek directly opposite Leon- ard's Pond sat there until it was nearly dark. My chief ob- ject was to find out whether the Snipe which I drove away from the marsh this morning would return at evening. They came from every direction in extraordinary numbers as soon as the twilight fell, and for fifteen or twenty minutes their scalaie call and the rushing sound of their wings were simply incess- ant. I heard one make a curious low jarring sound soon after it had alighted near me. 1895. As I was scanning the mud banks at the Outlet closely Sept. 9. passing close in shore I discovered a Wilson's Snipe standing in a crouching attitude on the bare mud. Presently he squat-

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. 1895. ed flat in a little hollow and I then saw another Snipe, also Sept.9. squatted, within a foot of the first. The bow of the canoe (No.3). was within less than two yards of these birds when they rose and made off at great speed.

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Singular behavior. 1896. On the mud flats on the river beyond Richardson's Carry early this morning I saw about a dozen Snipe. They were behaving in a most in- Sept.7. teresting manner running about on the level and perfectly bare mud a hundred yards or more from any covey. Every now and then they would draw together in a close bunch like Peeps. I had several opportunities to kill at least five or six at a shot had I wished. They probed a little but seemed to be chiefly engaged in picking up food. All the while the fog hung low and dense over the flat. When it cleared and the sun came out a little later the Snipe rose, one after another, and flew to the grass into which they dropped. I followed them but they were very wild and I got only four shots bagging three birds.

Gallinago delicata M. P. = Moon Point. 1896. Lake Umbagog. August 26 1st 27 29 4 drumming 31 Court. Run. two at evening near Rock. September 2 3 6 (Creeks) 5 6 7 (Sargent) 7 15 (wet, Dattening) 12 2 do. 14 (Creeks) About 12 kts. at curving by W.B. 15 (Creeks) the flooded 25-30 Cambridge River marshes. October 5 on a boat 3 do. do. 2 at camp do. Sept. 7. Early this morning when a dense fog still shrouded the meadows I found about a dozen Snipe on a broad and perfectly bare sand flat 100 yards or more from the nearest grass and intermingled with Sennip almates Plover, and three or four Greens of French Sandpipers. They were running about feebly for the most part much in the manner of the Sandpipers although they occasionally "jinked" as well as if to keep at practice for this familiar accomplishment. Every now and then they would draw together and sitting in a close bunch back outside in the rays of the sun which were beginning to penetrate through the fog. They were exceedingly shy rising invariably 100 yards or more off whenever I tried to approach them closely & flying to another part of the flats. When the fog cleared they all rose in quick succession & dropped into the nearest bed of tall grass but an hour later when this day had become absolutely clear & my warm I found some birds feeding on the bare sand in Sennard's Pond. They also were very shy. When I started & followed them they would alight on the mud and running a few yards against behind from slight unevenness of the surface & rise again for out of range. 1897 September M. P. 6 2 heard 7 3 kts. at curving irregularity 15-1 then Cambridge River marshes near Lake Umbagog. 28 evening (Sargent) 29 3 rising from lake, 30

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Evening at Moose Point. 1900. Sept.8. George (Farnsworth) and I went to Moose Point at evening.) He took his former station while I chose a new one along the shore to the westward. I had scarce settled myself comforta- bly in the canoe which was drawn up on the shore when a Snipe appeared on the high bank within three or four yards of me. After looking at me steadfastly for a moment it began feeding, moving from place to place by short, quick runs like a Sand- piper, at times walking more slowly. After trying repeatedly to probe in the hard-packed sandy loam it began picking up small objects with the tip of its bill precisely as a Sand- piper would do. Finally it discovered a worm on or very near the surface and seizing it firmly drew it out with one vigor- ous tug and at once swallowed it. Then it skulked off into the tall grass on the marsh but quickly returned and came even nearer to me than at first, giving me a fine view, for the bank was nearly bare and the daylight still strong. Shortly after this it moved off along the bank behind me. As twilight was fading into night I heard it scape a dozen times or more in quick succession. The sound came from the same spot each time and there can be no question that the bird uttered it while on the ground, a thing new to my experi- ce. The call was answered by that of another Snipe out in the marsh and presently both birds rose and, as I could tell by their cries, joined one another in the air and flew off

Gallinago delicata. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Evening at Moose Point. 1900. Sept.8. together. A few minutes later one of them returned and alight ed near me, making the usual loud rustle of wings as it de- cended or, to be more precise, as it checked its speed at the end of the descent. Lake Umbagog, Maine. Trip up Cambridge River. 1900. The Snipe was standing on a sandy bank sparsely covered Sept.21. with short green grass. He was evidently sunning himself and every now and then he closed his eyes and took a brief nap. Jim paddled me thrice to within eight feet of him and I ex- posed three plates at him. He paid little attention to us at first, but as we were returning from the third trip to the shelter of a bank where I changed my plate holders he sudden- ly took alarm, flew across the river, ran up under a shelving bank and squatted there. After this he kept well ahead of us flying, skulking under overhanging banks and tufts of grass and finally taking a long flight out of our sight through the woods. While I was photographing him he squatted once for a moment but most of the time stood in much the same attitude as a Sandpiper.