THE WREN. 13 
and Lesser Scaups. The Baldpate is very tame allowing a very 
satisfactory view. 
Wood Duck; very rare visitor. A female was seen on the pond 
in the afternoon of December 20. ‘This bird seemed to be exhausted 
as no matter how much noise we made, it would barely raise its 
head from under its wing. Nevertheless we saw clearly the white 
eye ring. 
Lesser Scaup Duck; common migrant in the fall. Next to Black 
Duck, this bird has been most prominent this season. On sunny 
days the purplish reflexions of the males can be plainly seen. ‘Two 
were seen November 4. Eight arrived November 25 and stayed 
till December 14, when four left. On December 19, two more 
came and on the 20th only one was there. ‘The number was raised 
to five by the 26th. ‘This last number stayed until January 10 of 
this year. 
Ruddy Duck; common fall migrant. The first Ruddy arrived 
last year on October 21 against October 19 for 1907. On Novem- 
ber 8 the bird which arrived the 21st was reenforced by two more. 
Another came on the 22nd, while only one was there on December 
1. ‘Three again were present by the 6th; these stayed till the 21st, 
when they disappeared until the last of the month. Finally the 
three left January 9. The diving of the Ruddy Duck ranks next 
to that of the grebe at Jamaica. ‘Their sprig-tails are always 
noticeable. 
American Coot; common migrant in the fall. In 1908 the first 
Coot was seen October 9 and remained until the 25. On Novem- 
ber 22, three appeared and were seen until December 19, when 
one had gone. ‘The next day only one was seen and this bird left 
December 24. Last year a Coot stayed at Leverett’s Pond after 
Jamaica was frozen, until the second week in April. I think the 
Coot is one of the most interesting birds at Jamaica Pond. They 
dive expertly but no sooner do they come to the surface than they 
are surrounded by the Mallards and it is a very active Coot that 
can eat his hard earned morsel. One morning about sunrise when 
I was at Jamaica I heard a familiar rail-like note and almost 
immediately a Coot came around the point followed by another. 
They gave two distinct calls; one, a series of grunts like the Vir- 
ginia Rail, and another a metallic call like the alarm note of the 
Sora. 
