158 THE ISLAND OF NANTUCKET. 



place when the weather is fine and clear, a great part 

 of the birds pass on, and do not stop, — and this is 

 generally the case. Although the black duck breed 

 here in considerable numbers, yet, when the first of 

 September arrives, the birds are missing. The ducks 

 which are shot here during the winter differ very 

 much in appearance from the ones bred here. There 

 are times when the mergansers, coot, and eider fur- 

 nish rare sport to one who is willing to devote every 

 minute to the hunting of them up and exercise a vast 

 deal of patience." 



Everything required by the sportsman can be ob- 

 tained of Mr. Sweet. 



Halls. 



Except on very few occasions the public halls of 

 the town have been found amply sufficient to meet the 

 requirements of the people. 



The Athenaeum Hall is the largest and best; it is in 

 the Athenaeum building, on the corner of Federal and 

 Lower Pearl Streets. It has a small stage with drop 

 curtain, but no scenery, and there is an anteroom 

 each side of the stage. It has a seating capacity of 

 four hundred and fifty, is furnished with settees, has a 

 fine piano, and lets for $8 per night, including use of 

 piano. It is let for fairs, concerts, lectures, and variety 

 performances. Joseph S. Swain, agent. 



Atlantic Hall is on Main Street. It has a new hard- 

 pine floor, is sixty feet long by forty-five wide, is cool 

 and comfortable, and lets for balls and fairs at $6 per 

 night. For the past two summers it has been used as 

 a skating rink. E. II. Alley, agent. 



