1 6 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



abundant and characteristic of these waters. A few American Eiders are to be 

 found, but only off the exposed rocky stations. Another winter bird that cer- 

 tainly deserves to be put in the class of birds of the ocean, as with the rarest 

 exceptions it is found while with us on the rocks and rocky islands only off the 

 coast, is the Purple Sandpiper. 



During the migrations most of the winter birds are more abundant. In 

 addition, may be seen the Gannets, sometimes in large numbers, making a mag- 

 nificent spectacle as they bombard the water in their pursuit of fish ; also the 

 Double-crested and Common Cormorants, the former in reality by far the more 

 common. These weird birds are sometimes to be seen in considerable numbers 

 flying along the coast or swimming on the water. Again their strange forms 

 can be descried perched on spar buoys or on rocks. Leach's Petrels also pass 

 in the migration to and from their breeding places on the Maine coast and 

 beyond, but are rarely seen. The Red and the Northern Phalaropes may also 

 be included as birds of this ocean region. The three species of Jaegers, the 

 Ring-billed and the Bonaparte's Gulls are also migrants. Of the Terns, the 

 Common, Arctic, Black, and Caspian may be mentioned as regular migrants, 

 omitting a number of Gulls and Terns given in the Annotated List as rare or 

 accidental. As before stated, the Common Tern also breeds here. The Canada 

 Goose and Brant as well as a number of Ducks in addition to those enumerated 

 above, such as the Greater Scaup and Bufflehead, are also to be found in the 

 migrations. The autumnal flight of these birds, particularly of the Scoters, is 

 one of the striking features of this shore. 



Duck-shooting off the coast in Essex County is chiefly devoted to the 

 pursuit of the three species of Scoters or Coot as they are called, and is every- 

 where spoken of as " cooting." During the fall migrations, especially in east- 

 erly weather, these birds sometimes pass along the coast in countless numbers. 

 When the wind is strong from the west the birds often keep well outside. 

 The gunners anchor their boats before light in line across the course of the 

 flight, putting out flocks of wooden decoys, and for this purpose crude blocks of 

 wood painted black, are all that is necessary. Sometimes bladders painted 

 black are used. A sharp whistle or loud shout has the effect of deflecting the 

 flock of Scoters down towards the gunner. Gunners generally make a low 

 whistling noise to attract the birds, and the notes of Old Squaws also are 

 imitated when they are seen coming. 



On some days in the middle of the season the gunner tosses about in his 

 " dory " for hours without firing a shot. At other times the shooting is fast 

 and furious, but even with the heavy charges and large shot, comparatively few 

 birds are killed, such is their tenacity of life, the swiftness of their flight, and 

 the protective power of their thick coat of feathers. Wounded birds dive at 



