Cambridge, Mass.
1911.
Dec. 10
(No 4)
[December 10, 1911]

Ducks in Fresh Pond
Lesser Scaups
Baldpates

  Not far from shore, near where the fountain now
is at the head of "Hotel Nook", were about a dozen
birds which seemed more confiding than the rest
and inclined more to feeding. Of these four were
Lesser Scaups (all in the plumage of the [female] and positively
identified) which dove every few seconds without
moving far from the same spot. Three Baldpates (a
[female] or juv [juvenile] [male] and two old drakes) ranged about much
more widely swimming lightly and smoothly with
the tips of their bills habitually pointing downward and
almost touching the water. Very graceful and
attractive birds they were reminding me strongly of
Wood Ducks as they meandered about over the calm
surface of the cove scarce dimpling it although
they moved swiftly and incessantly to and fro.
I saw one with what looked like a piece of eel grass in its bill.