1893
Sept. 30
(No. 2)
Lake Umbagog, Maine
and from every direction, circling over the marsh at a
great height and then shooting down nearly vertically on half
closed wings. Those that passed near us made a noise (doubtless
caused by the air rushing through their wings) very nearly like
the hiss of a whip lash. It is evident that these birds feed
at Moose Point only at night and spend the day in places where
there is more cover.
  Only a few Ducks came in to-night. I missed a single bird
which looked no larger than a Teal but had a disproportionately
long neck and large head. I killed a Wood Duck, a young drake,
one of a flock of five that passed behind me attracting my
attention by the whistling of their wings. Dytiscus beetles
were continually rising from the marsh and mounting skyward un-
til lost to sight. They must take very long flights. Sailed
to camp after dark through a rough, ugly sea.
[margin]Evening at Moose Point[/margin]