Lake Umbagog, Maine.
Outlet Marshes
1894
Sept.27
(No 2)
they literally slept with "one eye open". When I roused
them by whistling, clapping my hands, or talking to
them they would regard me for a moment with mild
wonder and then go to sleep again. I stood up &
sat down, changed the position of my camera etc.
without taking the slightest pains to avoid noise or
sudden movement but the birds, after the first minute
or two, paid no attention to my movements. They were
evidently very tired but it seemed incredible that any
wild creatures should be so utterly devoid of fear or
even curiosity. There was nothing between them & the
boat but water & bare mud.
  After we had finished with them I decided to frighten
them away as some gunners had been watching our
proceedings. I swung my paddle about and struck it
on the water without success. Then I began spattering
water on them. They ducked their heads and ran to & 
fro for an instant but finally took flight and
went off in apparent great alarm & excitement
flying half a mile or more before realighting.  Three
were fine birds in all & at least two were adults
but all were in the gray winter dress. There were
three Pectorals near them. I did not have the
heart to molest them either. Indeed I did not
fire a shot during the forenoon.
[margin]Pectorals[/margin]
  In the afternoon I sailed the little canoe for a
couple of hours.
[margin]Sailing[/margin]
  Black Ducks were flying about in considerable numbers.
In the morning we came upon a Bonaparte's gull, a
young bird, very tame, perched on a snag at the Outlet.
I saw him several times later, flying about over the Lake.
[margin]Black Ducks
Bonaparte Gull[/margin]