124 PROCEEDINGS MANCHESTER INSTITUTE 



173. Branta canadensis (ZzVz;^.) Wild Goose. 



Spring and fall migrant. 



The rapidity of flight attained by the wild geese in their migrations is very 

 remarkable, as the following incident may serve to show. On the 12th of March, 

 1898, an observer who was on board an express train between Nashua and Man- 

 chester, where the road runs along the west bank of the Merrimack river, saw a 

 large flock rise from the water a little way ahead of the train. The main part of 

 the flock went off in a northeasterly direction, apparently towards Lake Massabe- 

 sic, and soon disappeared. The remainder of the flock, comprising seven iiKiivid- 

 uals, the leader of which was noticeably larger than his companions, kept on 

 straight up the river at a rather low altitude, maintaining the familiar harrow- 

 shaped form in their arrangement. From Reed's Ferry to Goffe's Falls, a distance 

 of four miles, they kept up with the train so exactly that in relation to it they ap- 

 peared absolutely motionless. At the latter place, where the 'train crossed the 

 river, the birds were lost sight of. On making inquiries of the trainmen as to the 

 rate of speed attained it was found that it had not been less than forty-five miles 

 an hour, probably more. During the race the birds appeared to fly with ease as 

 if making no unusual effort. 



At Manchester on several occasions flocks have been observed during foggy 

 nights to fly to and fro across the city, making a great noise, as if bewildered and 

 trying to get their bearings. In the spring of 1899 a flock approaching the city 

 from the westward was seen suddenly to swerve to the southward, as if to avoid 

 the smoke of the manufacturing district, for as soon as it had passed beyond it 

 another sudden turn was made and the flock again took a straight easterly course 

 till out of sight. 



190. Botaurus lentiginosus {Montag.) 



American Bittern. Stakedriver. 



Fairly common summer resident. Almost always called the " Stakedriver." 



194. Ardea lierodias {Linn.) Great Blue Heron. 



Very rare summer resident. One was shot near Dorr's pond in Manchester, in 

 the summer of 1899. These beautiful birds not being protected by law, any man 

 who can " hit a barn door " is privileged to blaze away at them at long or short 

 range, and the great blue heron will soon be as extinct as the dodo, so far as our 

 area is concerned. 



201. Ardea virescens {Linn.) Little Green Heron. 



Common summer resident. 



238. Philohela minor ( Cm*?/.) American Woodcock. 



Common summer resident. 



