Seconnett Point, R. I. 
April 16-21 
As far as I can make out, there was no migratory movement 
of these birds during my stay. About 50 or 75 were always to be 
found in flocks of ofeun l ten or a dozen each, fishing close in to 
the rocks, about the point, and single birds were frequently ob- 
served flying to and fro, but not in^ne direction more than in an- 
other. On several occasions I saw one or two birds flying in com- 
pany with Seo'&era, but this was not common. Those observed near 
the rocks usually dove about submerged ledges, where they would 
collect sometimes to the number of fifteen or twenty. They were 
very shy when thus engaged, and I found it impossible to stalk therp^ 
for one or the other of them was sure to see me and give the al- 
arm when the flock would swim out of range, returning after I had 
retired. Sometimes a single bird or a pair would draw into our 
Coot decoys, and in this way we shot one or two. We also got sev- 
eral shots while rowing through narrow shannels between the h fagfe- 
ulandA. One f lock of a dozen birds passed and repassed us sev- 
eral times within close range, although we fired at them each time. 
They seemed to become confused, scattering and dashing back and 
forth as if they had lost their heads completely. The flight of 
this Duck is swifter than that of any bird 
found along our coast. It is aalso more erratic. The bird's long, 
pointed wings and elongated tail-feathers give it very much the 
appearance of a wild pigeon when on the wing, and its flight is not 
at all dissimilar. A small proportion of the males seen appeared 
to be in full nuptial plumage, and an equally smal l...jaiomb e r in white 
winter dress, the majority represent ing(^r ious*j/& tages)^ intermedi- 
ate between these two conditions. During s t ill, warm weather, 
these Ducks were at times very noisy , calling "Hawf Haw jE rli t" 
and sometimes " Ha~i I Haw!" a number of times , without the other 
two syllables. The tone or qiiality of this cry was sonorous, nstrans* 
what nasal, resembling a little the Honking of a Goose , The 
sound carries well and I should think could be heard for more than 
hi ' A 
/l,o 
