Chatham, Mass. [Chatham, Massachusetts]
Larus Bonapartii, Stercorarius parasiticus habits flight etc
1876.
(May 17 [May 17, 1876]) evolutions reminded me strongly of those
of Chaetura pelagica under similar circumstances
like them also three individuals would be
seen flying together quite as often as two.
When flying about over the water the [they] resemble
swallows very closely excepting in color.
When three or four are fishing over a 
school of fry they seem to fairly dance
in the air with delight Saw many flying about with fish in their bills Sometimes a 
single bird will come along flying slowly
with a very jerky motion but at most
times their flight is very graceful. The [They]
settled on the sand flats at low tide in
a large body mixing in with the sandlings [sanderlings]
also at times. When sitting there they
are quite shy and will not alow [allow] an
approach to within gun range. When
flying about also they were also for
the most part careful to keep out of
shot. On this sand spit I saw also 
a company of about 20 small square
tailed gulls that I took for L. Bonapartii [Larus Bonapartii].
Saw also during the day five or six
Stercorarius parasiticus. They are
called by the gunners here sea hens & also
geedy hawks (probably corrupted from giddy hawks)
They flew for the most part in pair [pairs].
Their flight was very different from a Larus
the flappings quicker & firmer and with
circular wheeling like a hawk. We saw
them pick up food from the water
repeatedly & in this they acted like the
other gulls dropping their feet when
about to seize the object. The gunners 
say that they are tamer than the