Point Lepreaux, N.B [Point Lepreau, New Brunswick]
1876.
(April 18 [April 18, 1876]) flying so low over the surface that
they are lost to view behind each swell.
In the afternoon we went out again
for a short time and shot him and shot two
fine adlt. [adult male] O. perspicillata [Oidemia perspicillata]. When
a coot is hard hit and flying off
drops, a portion at least of the flock
usually turn back and light near him.
Saw my first raven to day, a fine
large fellow that passed almost within
shot of the light house. He looked
very like a crow; rather longer than
larger, his flight rather more easy
with on or two intervals of sailing.
Early this morning Mr. Thomas saw
a pair of harlequin ducks diving
near the rocks but they soon left.
I forgot to mention that Mr. T. informs
one that the ravens build in the
face of a rocky cliff about a mile
to the East of here. Cormorants were
flying about all day as usual. In
the afternoon saw a pair of Uria
grylle diving near the point and
watched them a long time through
the glass. They make a very clean
dive like a loon, leaving only a
ring on the water. I find myself
more able to distinguish all the
water fowl at almost any distance
when on wing. The most [delete]most[/delete]
prominent characteristics are
briefly as follows. Brant; flapping
of wings like B. Can. [Branta canadensis] but form of
flock different & a long line with