Seconnett Point, R.I 
April 
16-21 
Ay o r 
This species, although slightly more numerous than the Surf 
Scoter, was far inferior in numbers to the White-Wings during our 
stay at the Point. It was rare to see more than one hundred 
birds in a morning, and we never observed more than two or three 
hunflBdd. These flew sometimes in flocks composed wholly of their 
s ome times mixed w i th 
the Surf 
Iff A 
Scoters or with White 
own species, 
Wings. They were tamer than the White Wings and decoyed bet- 
ter. They were also much easier to kill, although extremely tough 
and tenacious of life as compared with fresh water Pucks. Most 
of hhe gunners agree that they are much better eating than either 
of the other two species, nr. Mackay tells me that he has always 
found them far inferior in numbers during his visits to th«4 shoo t- 
ing -ground. The 
The notes of this Scoter W re different from those of 
the other two kinds, and it is . it. to distinguish the bird 
when heard at any distance however great. An imitation of it 
shrill " Cre e” will frequently turn a passing bird or even a 
flock and bring them in to the decoys. The gunners also attract 
birds which otherwise would go up without seeing the decoys by wav- 
ing a hat or other dark object once or twice. The birdsdoub tless 
&ake this for the flapping of a Puck's wings just as it is on the 
point of alighting. When a female is killed from a passing flock 
its mate almost invariably leaves the flock and alights by the side 
of its dead or wounded companion, hr. JtJackay has known one to 
return five or six times in succession although shot at each time. 
When a male is killed however the female never pays any attention 
to it, but passes on with the rest. This Scoter, as well as the 
other two species, seldom flies in a y numbers when the wind is in 
the north or north-west. Moderate flights occur with an easter- 
ly or westerly wind. The best wind of all is smith by south-west. 
If the we a tner is warm and the air somewhat hazy, the conditions 
are favorable for a heavy flight, and at such time, even a dense 
fog V/ill not prevent the birds from moving in large numbers 
The method of shooting Co- ts here is similar to that along 
the whole Hew England coast, the gunners lying off the land in 
boats, anchored two-gunshots apart. When one of the men discov- 
ers a number of birds approaching, word is passed along the line 
..and everyone lies do.n in his boat. During this springs shoot- 
ing the birds are son shy that hardly more than one flock in a 
dozen comes within shot of anyone. Either they rise high and 
passcverheard between two of the baatsVout m 
double and pass out around the outer boat, 
flight of any species of Coot at S sc onn e tt 
of rar?ge A or else they 
There is no t^Lautumn 
Point . r u-7 
C3 
