126 BULLETIN OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE. 



its death I am uncertain. It had a great number of very 

 Lirge fleas. Their form diffierent from y^ common house- 

 flea, & they leap not so far nor their motions so agile. 

 These martins are new visitors in y*" northern states 



— they came from y® southward & y® progress has been 

 gradual & easily marked. Generally advancing several 

 miles ammally. In 1765 they were plenty at New Haven 



— & about that time arrived as far as Hartford in Con- 

 necticut. But the}' were from that time to 1775 in ad- 

 vancing: as far as this town. The first houses erected for 

 them were in my garden, & they were not well stocked 

 with tennants until 1783 or 84. They have now arrived at 

 Portland, Casco bay. They build no where, to my knowl- 

 edge except in y® houses erected for them, & are fond of 

 very gay habitations. 



Wood Cock. JScolojmse Fedoa. May 15, 1787. In 

 y^ day time they keep about small runs of water in swamps 

 & obscure places, where they are rarely seen. When they 

 apprehend danger, they squat very close between bays, & 

 in y*' grass, so that a person may almost get their feet upon 

 them, being nearly of y*^ color of y*^ ground, before He 

 sees them. Then take wing, & fly low to some distance, 

 where they conceal themselves in y" same manner. In 

 y® twilight of y® evening they come out into open ground, 



— & sing with chipping note — after they have chipped, 

 loud & distinct at y'' close of the note they make a croak 

 in their throats. These notes are repeated a few times, 

 when they rise, with a buzing or whistling noise made with 

 their wings, much like that of a Partridge & ascend in to 

 y" air to a considerable height. After a circuitous flight 

 for a few minutes, they return directly over y^ place from 

 which they ascended, & begin their chippering note again 

 very quick, & with this note descend perpendicularly, & 

 settle on y'^ ground with a few feet of y*' spot from whence 



