245
Lake Umbagog.
Rapid River
1897.
Sept.12
  A brilliantly clear day with light south-east wind.
  Spent the morning at camp writing. In the
afternoon went to Rapid River in my large canoe
Purdie, Will and Gilbert following in one of the boats.
I sailed from camp to the very mouth of the
river, close-handed the latter part of the way.
Starting up the river with the paddle and ahead
of the other boat I found the Sheldrake in
the lower basin. They were swimming along the
opposite shore but one of them soon crossed to
my side although my course was in plain sight
to which. Presently the bird passed in behind a
large boulder up to which I at once paddled
with all speed arriving just in time to get a
good shot as my poor victim coming out &
seeing me took wing. He fell at once when I
turned my attention to his companions which had
risen and was passing 60 to 70 yards off. My
second barrel brought him down, also, but he
was only wing-tipped & finally escaped after
a long & exciting chase during which he both
dove & ran on the water in the usual fashion
of his kind. Will thought he went ashore but
failed to find him there.
[margin]Goosanders[/margin]
  These were the only Ducks we saw although we
heard some Wood Ducks squealing among the stubs
near the mouth of the river.
[margin]Wood Ducks[/margin]
 There were few small birds - a Jay or two, a
Flicker which shouted twice as if it were April instead
of September & a Winter Wren or two.
[margin]Blue Jays
Flicker[/margin]