Chatham, Mass. [Chatham, Massachusetts]
Chatham, Mass. 
Arrivals Tringa Americana - its habits etc.
Sterna caspia [its habits etc.]
1876
(May 6 [May 6, 1876]) is very similar but I think more rapid
than that of any of the Laridae that I
am acquainted with. Larger gulls were
excessively abundant L. agentatus [Larus argentatus] et
marinus [Larus marinus] being the only ones recognised;
the former were nearly all immature
while of the latter species not a single
adlt [adult] was seen. Seven small flocks of Mergus
serrator and a few flocks of Oedemia
fusca were seen flying about. Loons,
all C. torquatus [Colymbus torquatus], were quite numerous
and we heard the [them] calling frequently.
Off the Branting clubhouse we espied
a small flock of birds sitting on a
grassy island and rowing up killed
10 of them with four barrels. The survivors
went only a sort distance and i
killed them all (four) in a few shots.
They proved to be Tringa Americana
the first I had ever seen alive, & in
fine spring dress. I recognized them
before we go [got] within range by their
conspicuously long bills. They stood
very erect but when feeding skulked
about in a crouching posture like the
other tringae. The note which I heard
a number of times was totally unlike
that of any other marsh bird I have
heard. It is a very distinct rolling
whistle more like the willets perhaps
than any other bird's. One that I
picked up wing broken uttered this
cry continuously and so loudly that
it sounded almost like a shriek.