CHAPTER (Xx XxiV- 
SOUTHERN FLIGHT OF DIVERS HATCHED IN THE 
UNIZED STATES: 
When October skies are studded with galaxies of 
stars, the milky way shines brighter and the moon 
called in common parlance the ‘“Hunter’s,” is in its 
first quarter, the first flight of the divers commences. 
The ringbill and bluebill, buffle-head, ruddy, red- 
head and canvas-back are the first to arrive. They, 
likewise, travel southward in three issues, although 
not so plainly marked in the interior as coastwise. 
Two or three days intervene between the usual flights, 
and they are mostly gone before the first issue of the 
migratory flight arrives from the North. 
The bluebill, ringbill, redhead and canvas-back as- 
semble separately, in packs or rafts, upon some wide 
open water or lake, and depart like the bluewinged 
teals; only they travel in smaller flocks, fly farther and 
all through the night. A few redheads frequently get 
mixed up with the bluebills and travel with them. 
The remainder of the divers,’ asa mule, nligiare eae 
night, and therefore are not so readily observed. Their 
usual flight in the interior is down the large rivers, 
over the chain of lakes, etc., while the hooded mergan- 
ser clings to the small wooded rivers and streams with 
bushy shores. 
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