Point Lepreaux N.B. [Point Lepreau, Province of New Brunswick]
Habits of the coots.
1876.
 (April 14 [April 14, 1876]) Last night some twenty birds were
killed by flying against the light and
we found them this morning dead
on the ground beneath it. All were
M. melodia [Melospiza melodia] with the exception of one
P. savanna [Passerculus savanna]  and two Juncos. There
were at least 100 M. melodia [Melospiza melodia] in the
clearing around the house today.
I have spent much time both yesterday
and today watching the sea fowl
through the glass. The coots are especially
interesting and are decidedly the most
lively of the water fowl here. They have
a peculiar habit of rushing around on
the surface of the water, apparently
walking on the tips of their toes with
bodies & necks nearly perpendicular,
and uttering incessantly meanwhile a
curious and indescribable note, very 
loud. This comes up from the sea in all
directions, and often when the flock is too
far off to be seen. Last night we heard
them as late as 10 o'clock. I have noticed
this habit only in O. Americana [Oidemia americana] & think
the note is uttered only by them. Today
I saw distinctly several O. perspicillata [Oidemia perspicillata]
drinking the sea water lifting up their bills
like hens. All the coots are exceedingly
graceful on the water and stretch up their
necks much more than the old squaws
which carry their bills scarcely above
the surface & sit very low in the water.
The sheildrakes [sheldrakes] seldom light near the
point; indeed I have seen only one
in the water so far.