VOl i909" VI ] General Notes. 439 



feeding over rafts of drifting sea weeds, when its diet was found to consist 

 of maggots, probably Coleopa frigid a, a fly that breeds at high water mark 

 in decaying seaweeds (Alga and Zostera). 



Once at Matinicus Rock in the month of August, a school of skeleton 

 shrimps (Thysanopoda norvegica) was stranded near the boat house, at 

 high water, and were left in a windrow to perish, by the receding tide. 

 The Arctic Terns were quick to detect their presence, and became engaged 

 in carrying large numbers from the beach to their young, until darkness 

 caused them to stop. 



Winter Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) taken on the outer islands off the 

 coast in winter have been found to be chiefly fed upon Littorina palliata. 

 A specimen taken on the Presumpscat River, in Windham, late in Novem- 

 ber, was gorged with a fresh water snail (Campeloma decisa). Two speci- 

 mens taken on tide water at the mouth of the same river, in the fall, had 

 their gullets filled with seed of eel grass (Zostera marina) and a few isopods 

 (Idotea marina). 



The importance of Zostera as a food for winter birds seems to be consider- 

 able. Black Ducks, Whistlers and probably other ducks feed upon its 

 seeds in our caves and bays. Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and other 

 finches feed upon them on our beaches in winter. Geese and Brant devour 

 its rhizomes. Its seeds are of a good size, and the crop extensive. Its 

 value must be enormous though not appreciated. 



Wood Ducks coming under my observation have shown a fondness for 

 bulbs of Sagittaria. 



A Scaup (Marila marila) from the Fox Islands in winter was well filled 

 with shells of Macoma balthica. 



In the stomach of Whistlers (Clangida clangula americana) seed of Zostera 

 and shells of Lacuna vincta and Margarita helicina, both associates on the 

 eelgrass, have been identified. 



A King Eider, shot at Scarborough, during the winter of 1907-08, had 

 its gullet filled with large specimens of Crammarus locusta, the common 

 sea flea of our shores. Another taken in 1908 was similarly filled with 

 young crabs (Cancer irroratus) , in both instances to the exclusion of other 

 food. 



In the stomachs of Canada Geese, and Brant (Branta bernicla glauco- 

 gastra) I have found rhizomes of Zostera, and in the Canada Goose, sea let- 

 tuce (Ulva lactuca). 



In the stomach of the Common Bittern, besides frogs, I have seen the 

 field mouse (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and the large Water Beetle (Disty- 



cus) . 



In the stomach of a Dowitcher (Macrohamphus griseus), maggots, prob- 

 ably Coleopa frigida, a beach fly which abounds on our coast, breeding in 

 decaying sea weeds at or above high tide mark. 



Arquatella maritima is abundant on the outermost ledges and islands 

 east of Cape Small. I have found its diet to consist commonly of small 



