14 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



seen for but a few weeks in the spring, and in much smaller numbers. A strik- 

 ing instance of this is that of the Scoters, so numerous in the fall in their 

 southern flight, streaming along the coast in multitudes, but represented in the 

 spring by comparatively small flocks. In the spring the Golden Plover and the 

 Lesser Yellow-legs go north by the Mississippi Valley route and are not seen 

 here. Many of the other shore birds that are so common and tarry so long on 

 our shores from early in July to November, are seen going north in but scant 

 numbers dm-ing the last two weeks of May. 



The appearance of Leach's Petrels in storms near the shore in the latter 

 part of June, or the sudden increase in the number of Herring Gulls at this sea- 

 son to obtain fish thrown up on the beaches, suggests extended excursions from 

 the breeding places of these birds on the nearby coast of Maine. These excur- 

 sions, although rare in the case of the Petrel, are, I believe, the rule with the 

 strong-flying Gull. This matter will be discussed later in the annotations on 

 the Herring Gull. That numerous immature and a smaller number of adult 

 Herring Gulls pass the summer on the Essex County coast without breeding, is 

 a well known fact. This is also true to a much less extent of the Great Black- 

 backed Gull, of the Scoters, and the Red-breasted Merganser, as well as a num- 

 ber of shore birds. Some of these birds are cripples, surviving from the winter's 

 shooting. 



In the country away from the ocean, a stormy day with rain is of course 

 unfavorable for the ornithologist, but such days are often the most interesting 

 at the seashore ; many waterfowl are then seen to best advantage, and often 

 only on those days. For e.xample, the Petrels are almost never seen close to 

 the shore except in fogs or in stormy weather. At such times they may be 

 found gleaning the waves close to the beach, now and then actually sweeping 

 over the sand in their graceful, swallow-like flight. The Scoters, Golden-eyes, 

 and Shelldrakes, which during pleasant weather feed off the shore and fly but 

 little, are often to be found restlessly flying close to the beach or over it, and 

 feeding inside the breakers close to the shore. Phalaropes, although also occa- 

 sionally seen in pleasant weather, are more apt to be found near the shore during 

 storms. Then there is always the possibility of seeing other rare water or shore 

 birds driven in from the outside course. 



The Gulls and Terns are seen to the best advantage during violent north- 

 easters, in regard both to numbers and the beauty of their flight as they 

 soar into the teeth of the gale, or gracefully glide and circle before it. The 

 bird-lover, clad in good oilskins and sou'wester, welcomes a fierce storm at the 

 seashore as a day of unusual interest and great possibilities. A disadvantage 

 on these days is the inability to use glasses, but the nearness of the birds 

 partly makes up for this. It is unnecessary to speak of the glories of the sea 



