THE WREN. il 
At Philips Beach the same observers found an Iceland Gull flying 
in company with a few Herring Gulls. The same, or possibly 
another bird of the same species was found at Fisherman’s Beach. 
The bird was again with Herring Gulls. 
At a regular meeting of the Norfolk Bird Club held on February 
6, the following officers were elected: — President, Joseph Kittredge 
Jr.; Secretary, Barron Brainerd; Treasurer, R. M. Marble; 
Assistant Secretary, Charles Schweinfurth. 
WATER BIRDS OF JAMAICA POND IN 1908. 
JAMAICA PonD is the largest body of fresh water, except the 
Chestnut Hill Resevoir, within the limits of the city of Boston, 
covering 65% acres. It is under the control of the Boston Park 
Department. The Mallards, Canada Geese, and Swans, kept 
there by the Commission, serve as decoys to attract the wild water 
fowl on their migrations. Another point in favor of this pond is 
that as it is fed by springs; only a very cold spell will entirely close 
it, and for this reason the ducks remain there well into the winter. 
The wild fowl season at the pond begins the end of September 
or the first of October and extends, except for the time in January 
and February when it is frozen, to the first part of May. ‘The fall 
migration is better by a very great deal than the spring. A favorite 
resting place for the ducks is opposite the spot where Sargent’s 
brook enters the pond. ‘The birds are most active at sunrise and 
at sunset. At the latter time the ducks fly about, some merely 
circling the pond while others go off in the direction of the Chestnut 
Hill Reservoir probably spending the night there. It is interesting 
to note that after Jamaica Pond froze, about January 19th, 1909, 
the ducks which a few days before were seen at Jamaica, were seen 
later at the Reservoir. - 
The water birds seen at Jamaica Pond during the fall are as 
follows: 
Pied-billed Grebe; uncommon but regular migrant. One was 
seen during the second week of October. Another stayed from 
November 22 to 27. Although the tame Mallards tried to rob this 
‘““water-witch”’ of its food when it came to the surface, yet by 
