^60 Helmuth, Notes while in Naval Service. [April 



common. Numerous Black Duck (sp.?) were seen, some Scaups, probably 

 Lesser Scaups, one flock of about sixty Gadwalls, and three flocks of Bald- 

 pates. All these birds were either feeding or resting quietly in the shallow 

 pools between the long strips and patches of high grass and reeds, and 

 from the main-top I could look directly down upon them. It made a 

 splendid sight, and even at the risk of exhausting the patience of the 

 reader I cannot help describing the appearance of the scene as it seemed to 

 an enthusiastic bird lover, to whom many of the species observed were 

 new or unfamiliar. 



From my elevated vantage point, the thousands of ducks first attracted 

 attention, but almost immediately one noticed the long strings of flapping 

 Pelicans, the noisy hosts of Crackles, and the bands of Laughing and Ring- 

 billed Gulls that drifted over the marshes and wheeled in our wake, before 

 one's eyes sought out the various other kinds of fowl not quite so obviously 

 in evidence. In the pools were countless Herons, chiefly Little Blues, 

 Louisianas, and Great-Blues, with an occasional Egret. Nearly every 

 pool sheltered eight or nine "assorted Herons," including now and then 

 Night Herons of both species. There were beds of Coots in the larger 

 pools, and sometimes a Pied-billed Grebe or two. In one pool was a flock 

 of some fifteen Greater Yellowlegs. Four Lesser Yellowlegs, some Dow- 

 itchers, and many Least or Semipalmated Sandpipers were seen here and 

 there. Hudsonian Curlew were at times not uncommon, and we saw sev- 

 eral flocks on the wing. 



Small Terns were occasionally seen, perhaps Foster's, three of which 

 flew by uttering harsh rattling cackles and some shrill peeping notes, un- 

 like any of the varied notes of the Common Tern. Large Terns were com- 

 mon, but whether Royal or Caspian I could not tell. Once we passed 

 three great White Pelicans, looming up over the marshes like Norwegian 

 barks with skysails set. Further up the river Killdeer, Spotted Sand- 

 pipers and Black Vultures were extremely common. So were mosquitoes! 

 But it seemed to me that if anything was to be seen in lower Louisiana at 

 all it was sure to be found in terrific abundance, and, given the birds, I 

 was only too glad to let the mosquitoes do the r worst! 



March 28, 1918. Anchored off Sabine Pass, Texas. Approximately 

 500 Blue Geese, {Chen caerulescens) , in long strings, flew from the wide 

 marshes on shore directly into the Gulf, many passing over the ship. 

 Their flight is quite different from that of Canada Geese, being more like 

 that of the Brant, and even more like the flapping flight of a Heron, though 

 the wing-beats are rapid. Compared to Canada Geese they are poor 

 flyers, with broader, more rounded wings. Birds with white heads were 

 in the minority. 



March 29, 1918. Migrants and waifs at sea. From Sabine Pass to a 

 point south-east into Gulf of Mexico, 100-150 miles offshore. A "north- 

 er," with terrific wind and rain. Three Great Blue Herons, (probably 

 Ward's), lit on the main and foremasts, and stayed there all day, balancing 



