Lake Umbagog.
1909.
June 14 [June 14, 1909]
(No 3)
soon led her brood into calm, shallow water close under
the overhanging branches of the trees and bushes that fringe the
shore. Here began one of the very prettiest and most
interesting scenes in bird life that it has ever been my
privilege to witness. First the mother disappeared beneath
the surface, as I supposed to obtain food for her young.
But the latter, to my infinite surprise, quickly followed
her example, after scattering over a space of four or five
square yards. Sometimes five or six at once, oftener following
one another in rapid succession, they dove and dove and dove
again with all the energy and decision of an old bird.
Sometimes they descended quietly, without much apparent effort,
cleaving the water like a Grebe & leaving scarce a ripple, but
much oftener they sprang forward and upward almost clear
of the surface, showing a strong arch to the line of the
back and neck, and kicking up tiny jets of flashing