226
*
1897.
Sept. 6
(No 3)
Lake Umbagog.
Moose Point
  As twilight was deepening into night & we were
thinking of starting campward a Short - eared Owl appeared,
distinctly silhouetted against a light portion of the western
sky and flying in the usual vacillating, moth - like manner
across the creek some sixty yards off. I squeaked like a 
mouse where the bird at once turned back and came
straight towards us. When directly over the boat and at a 
height of not more than eight or ten feet it hovered for a
moment looking down at us, then passed on but another
squeak or two brought it back at once. This was repeated
a dozen times or more and although we talked, laughed
and moved while the bird was directly over us it did
not take alarm or appear to suspect that we were
discussing it. Its hearing was most keen for the lowest 
squeak at once attracted its attention when it was a gun shot
or more away. Once it alighted on a low stub directly
behind us & some ten yards distant sitting very erect
& still. It made no vocal sound and the beating of its
wings, even when it was within a few feet of our heads,
was perfectly noiseless. It reminded me most forcibly of
a big moth as it flapped and sailed to & fro rarely 
following a straight course for more than a few yards
at a time & constantly rising, falling or doubling
sharply.
[margin]Short - eared
Owl.[/margin]
  As we were leaving Moose Point a Night Heron came
from the direction of the Outlet and passing near enough
to be dimly seen disappeared over the marsh when one
of the Crocker party shot at it. He thought it fell but
could not find it. Later in the evening what was probably
the same bird passed & repassed Pine Point quacking loudly.
[margin]Night
Heron[/margin]