Cambridge, Massachusetts.
1900.
December.
(6).
with the body, ordinarily raised a little above it
occasionally conspicuously elevated, and at least
half opened. They were expert and graceful divers disappear-
ing with one abrupt vigorous, forward spring, like Mergansers
and cleaving the water so deftly as to scarce ruffle its
surface.
Water fowl
at 
Fresh Pond
Ruddy
Ducks
  Of all the birds which frequented the Pond the Herring
Gulls were the most numerous, conspicuous and attractive.
Their numbers generally rose far into the hundreds and on
December 23rd Mr. Deane estimated that fully 1000 were present
while on the 25th he actually counted 1375. They usually be-
gan assembling at about 8 A.M. or a little later, arriving in
flocks of from six or eight to fifty or sixty birds each.
Most of them came from the direction of Lynn or Revere (i. e.
from the north-east or east) but a good many, evidently, from
Charles River Basin (i.e. from the south or south-east). As
they neared the shore they ceased flapping and glided with
infinite ease and grade on motionless wing, down a long,
gentle decline towards the middle of the Pond where, after
wheeling once or twice, they alighted among the comrades who
had preceded them. During the height of the flight they often
came in a steady stream for minutes at a time. The incoming
movement ordinarily ceased wholly at 11 A.M. or a little later.
Herring
Gulls
119