I08 JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Ornithological Society, and an enthusiastic amateur student of birds. 

 She was a lady of high attainments and she strove hard to excel in 

 everything she undertook. For a year she struggled bravely against 

 a disease which slowly but surely preyed upon her strength, but 

 scarcely a word of complaint was ever heard from her. The society 

 loses an earnest friend, who was ever ready to give her aid when it 

 was most needed. 



The death of Herbert Mains, the well known guide, of North 

 Windham, from a gunshot wound, accidentally inflicted by a sports- 

 man, whom he was guiding, brought sorrow to many members of 

 this society, who had frecjuently accompanied him on bird excur- 

 sions on and around Little Sebago Lake. Mr. Mains knew most of 

 the birds from long observation, though for the most part he was 

 not informed as to their correct names. He took a deep interest in 

 bird students and was never tired of tramping far and wide in their 

 company. He was a gentleman in the best sense of the word and 

 his memory will long be held dear by all who knew him. 



The Christmas bird census, begun in 1905 and repeated in 

 1906, has proved so successful, and the reports were of so much 

 permanent value, that it will be taken again this year in much the 

 same manner as before. Begin on the morning of December 226. 

 and continue until the evening of December 31st. Keep as accurate 

 account as possible of the number of every species you see and send 

 the reports to W. H. Brownson, City Building, Portland, during the 

 first week of January. It is desirable that the report be sent, even 

 if the list of birds seen is not large. In connection with the report 

 add all items of interest noted during the ten days of the Christmas 

 census. 



Thanks are due to Dr. W. C. Kendall, of Washington, and Mr. 

 Samuel L. lioardman, of Bangor, for contributions in this issue of 

 the Journal. .Mr. Norton furnishes an excellent article on the 

 Wood Duck, and an extract from Mr. Walter II. Rich's book, 

 "F'eathered Game of the Northeast," relating to the same bird, is 

 here printed. Mr. Rich furnishes a timely article on the present 

 scarcity of Ruffed Grouse in Maine. Mr. Knight announces that 

 his book on "The Birds of Maine" will be issued early during the 

 coming year. It is sure that there will be at once a lively demand 

 for it, both in Maine and other states. , 



The weather this fall has been so mild that winter ])irds have 

 not yet commenced to come south in large numbers. Last year at 

 this time Pine Grosbeaks and Redpolls were fairly plentiful in 

 southern Maine; this year none have so far been reported. Shore 

 birds have been more numerous this fall than for several years past. 

 A Florida Gallinule was taken near Pine Point October i6th. A 

 Golden Plover was shot in the same locality November 15th. A 

 Winter Wren was observed hiding in the beach grass on the sand 

 flats at Pine Point, November 17th. 



