Lake Umbagog.
1899.
October 1
steamer and landing at Metalluc Island and Pine Point.
During this trip I saw 2 Bald Eagles, 8 Black Ducks and
many Sheldrake. The water was low and Ducks are
said to be scarce this autumn.
  In the afternoon I sailed one of my canoes over to
Upton Mill seeing three Great Blue Herons, a Sheldrake, a Marsh Hawk and
a flock of about 60 Crows, all along the Cambridge River
between its mouth and the Mill. Off the mouth of the
river I came upon a [female] or young Surf Scoter which was
floating with its head buried among the scapular feathers
and apparently fast asleep. The canoe was moving at great
speed and its prow was not more than six or eight
feet from the unconscious bird when the latter happened to
raise its head & discovering the danger rose hurriedly &
flew out over the lake.
[margin]A drowsy
Scoter[/margin]
  The most interesting experience of the afternoon was
that of finding a Wood Pewee cowering under the lee of
my boat house. Its plumage was ruffled and somewhat
bedraggled and the bird acted as benumbed and discouraged
but its eyes glowed brightly and it made occasional sallies
into the air among the falling snow-flakes as if mistaking
them for flying insects. It spent most of its time on the
ground or rather on a pile of chips and pieces of boards
where it hopped or fluttered from place to place apparently
finding & following up some kind of food but just what
I could not discern. It was so tame that I almost
caught it in my hand. Once it alighted on the
threshold of the open door & looked in as I thought
wistfully. It was a young bird & showed the grayish
neck markings conspicuously.
[margin]A belated
Wood Pewee[/margin]
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