234. t ., . '* ..JTHE. SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY. 



-al Biack-DelliecT Plovers ( Squatarola helvetica) were observed on a piece of 

 pasture land near the marsh, and after considerable effort one was obtained." 



In the afternoon, as the tide fell, leaving long strips of mud flats with here 

 and there pools containing small fish and other edible matter, the water fowl 

 commenced coming to the feast, and soon the flats were swarming with ducks, 

 mergansers and gulls, which kept up a continual quarreling and running about, 

 making a great noise. 



Among the gulls, Larus Philadelphia was the most numerous species, but 

 Z. argentatus var. Occidentalis and Z. delawarensis var. Californicus were abuQ- 

 dant, and several Short-billed gulls ( L. can-its var. brachyrhynchus) were ob- 

 served, and one specimen obtained. 



Towards evening numbers of Goosanders ( Mergus merganser) and Scoters 

 (Oedemia perspicillata var. trcwbridgii) came into the open water. 



Near sunset, several Brown Pelicans (Peleamus fuscus) c nmenced fishing 

 near the ruins of an old wharf, which was built out in the ba . From the ap- > 

 pearance of these birds, while standing, one would form the opinion that they 

 must be very ungainly flyers; yet the contrary is the fact, for their movements 

 in the air are far more light and graceful than those of many birds which look 

 much lighter and seem more capable of easy^ flight. They first made 1 

 appearance from the west, and as they approached the fishing grounds they set 

 their wings and with their head drawn back upon the body, the bill extending 

 forward over the breast, came gliding along for a considerable distance. 



After circling about a short time they descended and commenced fishing., 

 Flying along ten or fifteen yards high they carefully examined the water below. 

 and when their prey was observed they would turn and nearly closing their wings 

 dart down into the water and appear to strike on their breast, at the same time 

 thrust their bill forward to capture the fish. Then rising lightly from the water 

 they would repeat their operation. They were quite unsuspicious and allowed ' 

 the boat to approach within gunshot, when a pair were easily brought down. 



The sun sinking behind hills in the direction of the " Golden Gate " warned 

 us that it was time to turn our boat homeward, and we reluctantly bade fare- 

 well to one of the pleasan-test days we had enjoyed for some time. 



A PREHISTORIC ROAD. Several years ago portions of an ancient maca- 

 damised road were discovered on the banks of the Monongahela River, near 

 Fairmount, West Virginia ; and, on a recent exploration by Government sur- 

 veyors, it was traced for nearly eleven miles along the bottom land between the 

 river and the hills. Its width is fifteen feet ; it is composed of boulders 

 of red sandstone, which must have been brought from a distance, there 

 being few if any boulders in or near the river. It is /supposed that the stones 

 were broken into pieces by first heating and then throwing water upon them. 

 The depth of broken stone is about eighteen inches. At many points there are 

 large trees, over 150 years old, growing in the road ; showing that it was built 

 long prior to the advent of the white man in this country. 



