150 BULLETIN 130, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



but usually the flocks are much larger, up to five or six hundred. These sweep 

 along at times in one long line close to the water. Anon they press together 

 in a compact and solid square. Again they spread out into a long line abreast 

 or form a V, and at all times they rush along with irresistible energy. On 

 reaching the angle at Annisquam where Cape Ann juts out boldly, the birds 

 are often at a loss what to do. Sometimes they fly first one way and then 

 another, rising higher and higher all the time, and then strike out toward the 

 end of the cape, over which they resume their southerly course at a con- 

 siderable height. Another flock will turn at the angle without pausing and 

 skirt the shore around the cape? Again, a flock will pause and fly high at the 

 angle, and then along the coast, soon to descend to the original height above 

 the water and round the end of the cape. All these are methods commonly 

 adopted. Occasionally a flock will get discouraged on reaching the solid 

 barrier of the cape, will turn back and drop into the water to talk it over. 

 All this shows the dislike of the scoter to fly over the land. 



As a result of many years of observation, Mr. Mackay (1891) 

 says : 



The old birds of the surf scoter appear about the middle of September, with 

 a very large movement about the 20th, according to the weather, the young 

 birds making their appearance the last of September or first of October. 

 I have known a considerable flight to occur on the last day of September, 

 the wind all day being very fresh from the southwest, which deflected them 

 toward the land ; such an early movement is, however, unusual. An easterly 

 storm about the middle of August is likely to bring them along, the wind 

 from this direction being particularly favorable for migration ; if, on the 

 other hand, the weather is mild and warm, it is not usual to see them so 

 early. 



From this time on they continue to pass along the coast until near the end 

 of December, the main flight coming between the 8th and 20th of October, 

 depending upon the weather, when the migration appears to be at an end. 

 During such migration they are estimated to fly at a rate of about 100 miles 

 an hour, but this rate is also governed by the weather. The greater part of 

 these scoters pass around Cape Cod, as I have never heard of, nor seen, any 

 of the immense bodies of " bedded " fowl north or east of it as occur south and 

 west of the cape ; probably because they are unable to find either the security 

 or profusion of food north of it that they can obtain in the waters to the south. 

 They therefore congregate here in large numbers. 



Winter. — In the waters lying south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 

 in the vicinity of Nantucket, Muskeget Island, and Marthas Vine- 

 yard, vast numbers of scoters spend the winter, Mr. Mackay (1891) 

 writes : 



Most of these places being inaccessible to ordinary sportsmen, the birds 

 can live undisturbed during the late autumn, winter, and spring months, un- 

 doubtedly returning year after year to these same waters, which appear to 

 have become their winter home. 



Where there are large ponds adjacent to the coast, separated from the ocean 

 by a strip of beach, all three of the scoters will at times frequent them to 

 feed, and will collect in considerable numbers if the supply of food is abund- 

 ant ; in which case they are very unwilling to leave such ponds, and, although 

 much harassed by being shot at and driven out, continue to return until many 



