Feb. 26. A flock of gulls & a few ducks on shallow water looking for grub from dredger pumping slickens under narrow gauge trestle. A duck, looked like a female blue-bill, grabbed a clam or fish started to fly, pursued by 3 gulls. 2 of them quit at 200 yds & the 3d. kept so close that in the distance thry appeared as 1 bird. The duck flew 1/4-mile & re- turned to ridge of flock where other gulls were flying about relieved her pursuers. Never flew over 3 ft. from the water & her load prob- ably gave the gull a chance to keep up the pace. Lots of ducks seen this winter on the bay. Has been too much water over the country which has scattered the ducks & spoilt good sport. A very unsatis- factory season for quail (too, as so much rain in Dec. & Jan. Never saw so few birds as this writer: 2