Cambridge, Mass.
1909.
Nov. 7 [November 7, 1909]
(No 3)
  There were, as I have said, only four water-fowl
in the main body of the pond when we first reached
the end of the point but on our way thither we passed
a pair of Canada Geese* which were swimming near
shore, well up in Boat House Nook, and just as
we left the pond to go to the Glacialis & to the
Maple Swamp some sixteen or seventeen Herring Gulls
alighted with the Black Ducks & the Old Squaw
and began making the water fly, as they beat their
big wings on its smooth surface either in sport
or for the purpose of washing their plumage.
From what I can learn the pond has been
frequented by comparatively few Gulls or Duck
thus far this autumn. Their number have been
steadily declining there for several seasons past,
apparently because Spot Pond attracts them more.
 *These two birds (one very
much larger than the other) have frequented the pond
for the past week or more & have been seen in neighboring, smaller
ponds also. It is thought they have escaped from the flock of tame
Canada Geese on Jamaica Pond, as did 5 of those birds, last year.