Notes on Rhode Island Ornithology. 



25 



thej must flap some distance over the surface of the water before they can 

 rise into the air, and then only at a small angle. Within the trap there 

 is not space enough to pennit of this, and the net that rises perhaps four 

 feet from the surface at high tide forms an insurmountable barrier. 



On July 25, 1902, I rowed off to one of the outer traps from the Third 

 Beach, to see what a man was firing at in the nets and it proved to be 

 loons. Four splendid birds floated dead within the seine and two more 

 were still alive, making a desperate struggle for life. They would stay 

 under water until driven by suffocation to come to the surface and literally 

 snatch a breath of air without showing their bodies, and diving again 

 with so inuch rapidity that only a swirl of water told of their presence. 

 This they did with such speed that the gunner could scarcely take aim at 

 thern. 



After I had gone ashore I heard several shots fii-ed and could only con- 

 clude that the two survivors had given up for want of air and exposed 

 themselves to the muzzle of the gun. 



I was told that ten had been caught in this way the day before and that 

 only the white breasts were saved. 



What a pity that these beautiful harmless birds should not be afforded 

 some protection by law before such wanton destruction finally causes 

 their extermination. 

 Middletown. E. Sturtevant. 



COMMUNICATION. 



Providence, R. I., Sept. 17, 1902. 

 Mr. Reginald Heber Howe, Jr. 



Dear Sir: — On May 15, 1902, Mr. Angell took a set of four Blue- 

 headed Vireo [( Vireo solitarms )] eggs at West Greenwich, R. I. 



On May 21, 1902, he shot a $ Philadelphia Vireo \\V. fkiladelfhia)\ 

 and a $ Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, \(^Eviptdo7iax JlavtventrisW both birds 

 being identified by kindness of Mr. William Brewster. 



Respectfully 3'ours, 



Angell & Cash 



