JOURNAI. OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGIC AI. SOCIETY. 



Itrh Nntea. 



Notes and observations upon bird life within our State are earnestly desired from all our readers 

 for publication in this column, and should be sent to the Associate Editor, Frank T. Noble, Augusta, 

 Maine. 



A Specimen op the Ring-necked Duck prom Merry- 

 meeting Bay. — There is little to report in the way of rare or 

 uncommon varieties of water fowl the past season on the ducking 

 grounds in the vicinity of Merrymeeting Bay, the only variety being 

 a male Ring-necked Duck {Aythya collaris) , which the associate edi- 

 tor shot on October 1 1 . The bird was consorting with a small flock 

 of Lesser vScaup Ducks or small Blueljills and so closely resembled a 

 drake of this species that its identity was not realized until some 

 time after its capture. As this bird is one of our rarest Ducks gun- 

 ners shooting Bluebills should examine all drakes with great care 

 for the white ring around the bill and the grayish (not white) specu- 

 lum, sure characteristics of the Ring-necked or Ring-billed Duck. 



Frank T. Nobi,e. 



To Preserve the Breeding Eider Ducks. — Bird lovers 

 throughout the state will be glad to know that at the meeting of the 

 Governor and Council, November 9, that honorable body passed an 

 order, authorizing the land-agent to issue a written permit to the 

 National Association of Audubon Societies to have exclusive use of 

 one of the islands of Maine, with the expressed purpose of the 

 Association's protecting the wild birds breeding or resorting there. 



To have witnessed the interest, which Mr. Ring, the land-agent, 

 took in issuing this document, without a moment's delay, would 

 have cheered anyone interested in the matter. 



This action was in view of the fact that with such protection as 

 the Association was able to afford, upon one mass of rock the past 

 summer twenty-four young Eider Ducks were raised, or certainly not 

 less than four broods. By having control of the island, and keeping 

 all trespassers off, it is to be hoped that the number may increase. 

 This is the largest duck found within the United States, and for 

 beauty and value it ranks in the first class. Maine is the only state 



