126 BULLETIN OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE. 



its death I am uncertain. It had a great number of very 

 large fleas. Their form different from y° common house- 

 flea, & they leap not so far nor their motions so agile. 

 These martins are new visitors in y'^ northern states 



— they came from y'^ southward & y^ progress has been 

 gradual & easily marked. Generally advancing several 

 miles annually. In 1765 they were plenty at New Haven 



— & about that time arrived as far as Hartford in Con- 

 necticut. But they were from that time to 1775 in ad- 

 vancing as far as this town. The first houses erected for 

 them were in my garden, & they were not well stocked 

 with tennants until 1783 or 84. They have now arrived at 

 Portland, Casco bay. They build no where, to my knowl- 

 edge except in y^ houses erected for them, & are fond of 

 very gay habitations. 



Wood Cock. Scolopase Fedoa. May 15, 1787. In 

 y*^ day time they keep about small runs of Avater in swamps 

 & obscure places, where they are rarely seen. When they 

 apprehend danger, they squat very close between bays, & 

 in y® grass, so that a person may almost get their feet upon 

 them, being nearly of y® color of y® ground, Iiefore He 

 sees them. Then take wing, & fly low to some distance, 

 where they conceal themselves in y*" same manner. In 

 y*^ twilight of y® evening they come out into open ground, 



— & sing with chipping note — after they have chipped, 

 loud & distinct at y*^ close of the note they make a croak 

 in their throats. These notes are repeated a few times, 

 when they rise, with a buzing ov whistling noise made with 

 their wings, much like that of a Partridge & ascend in to 

 y^ air to a considerable height. After a circuitous flight 

 for a ^QVf minutes, they return directly over y® place from 

 which they ascended, & begin their chippering note again 

 very quick, & with this note descend perpendicularly, & 

 settle on y*' ground with a few feet of y*' spot from whence 



