1S92.] General Nofcs. 301^ 



Clangula hyemalis. — There liave been a large number of Old-sciuaws 

 frequenting most of the larger ponds on the Island this winter (1891-92), 

 — in the Long Pond as many as seven or eight hundred, — also a large 

 number in the Hummuck and Miacomet Ponds. They came in from the 

 outside (Sound) before sunrise and went out again about sunset to roost at 

 night in the Sound. While they frequent the ponds more or less every 

 winter, nothing like the present numbers have been noted before. 

 They preferred to submit to almost any amount of shooting at them 

 rather than abandon the ponds where they had been living. Even on 

 May I, 1892, I noted as many as forty or fift\ in each of the three ponds 

 above mentioned. 



Oidemia deglandi. — Feb. 20, 1891. — Off the entire north side of the 

 island from Great Point to Muskeget Island where they had been living 

 during the winter, I saw so many thousands of these Ducks, that for the 

 first time in my life I gave up in despair at being unable to arrive at any 

 satisfactory conclusion regarding their numbers. I will, however, state (for 

 that I am certain of) that there were several hundreds of thousands. 

 They remained until March 22, 1891. Nothing like such numbers has 

 ever before been seen here. They were for the greater part, as far as my 

 observation showed, immature Ijirds. In November, 1890, some five or 

 six hundred (estimated) tVequented the Hummuck Pond until driven out 

 by continual shooting at them. On Oct. 6, 1S91 , during a severe storm 

 about four hundred came into the Hummuck Pond, and continued to 

 frequent it, increasing to about fifteen hundred by Nov. i, 1891. 

 During the entire winter of 1892, there have been none to speak of living 

 along the north shore of the island, and I account for it by their having 

 eaten up ail the shell-fish food last winter. In February, 1892, however, 

 some thousand Scoters were in the habit of coming into the harbor in the 

 early morning to pass the day, returning again to the Sound about half 

 past three to four o'clock in tlie afternoon. Many of them were mated at 

 this dale. 



Somateria dresseri. — April 2, 1S92. The American Eiiiers which ha\e 

 been living off the north shore of tliis island departed last night. (Last 

 year they left on March 28, 1S91.) On the pievious afternoon I saw one 

 hundred and fifty (estimated). On the aiternoon of May i, 1892, I saw 

 nine at the south side of the isiantl, flying east. 



Branta bernicla. — Dec. 12, 1891. While at the extreme western point 

 of this island, I saw one flock of nine, one of fourteen, and one of three 

 Brant. On Feb. 22, 1891, there were about forty living in the harbor, 

 and about seventy-five more living at Muskeget Island. A few winter 

 here in ordinary seasons. 



Bartramia longicauda. — May i. i8ji, I saw in the western part of 

 the island four IJartramian Sandpipers, and shot a pair of them, male 

 and female. They were in beautiful plumage. I have reason to believe 

 that a few of these birds breed regularly here every year, the nest, eggs 

 and young having been taken. They also breed on Tiickernuck Island. 

 When the nest is discovered the female exhibits much solicitude, hovering 

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