r/o yW of Tn '"' t 
feeding over rafts of drifting sea weeds, when its diet was found to consist 
of maggots, probably Coleopa frigida, a fly that breeds at high water mark 
in decaying seaweeds ( Alga: and Zostera). 
Once at Matinicus Rock in the month of August, a school of skeleton 
shrimps ( Thysanopoda norvegica) was stranded near the boat house, at 
high water, and were left in a windrow to perish, by the receding tide. 
The Arctic Terns were quick to detect their presence, and became engaged 
in carrying large numbers from the beach to their young, until darkness 
caused them to stop. 
Winter Black Ducks ( Anas rubripes) taken on the outer islands off the 
coast in winter have been found to be chiefly fed upon Littorina palliata. 
A specimen taken on the Presumpscat River, in Windham, late in Novem¬ 
ber, was gorged with a fresh water snail ( Campeloma decisa). Two speci¬ 
mens taken on tide water at the mouth of the same river, in the fall, had 
their gullets filled with seed of eel grass ( Zostera marina) and a few isopods 
(Idotea marina). 
The importance of Zostera as a food for winter birds seems to be consider¬ 
able. Black Ducks, Whistlers and probably other ducks feed upon its 
seeds in our caves and bays. Horned Larks, Snow Buntings and other 
finches feed upon them on our beaches in winter. Geese and Brant devour 
its rhizomes. Its seeds are of a good size, and the crop extensive. Its 
value must be enormous though not appreciated. 
Wood Ducks coming under my observation have shown a fondness for 
bulbs of Sagittaria. 
A Scaup ( Marila marila) from the Fox Islands in winter was well filled 
with shells of Macoma balth-ica. 
In the stomach of Whistlers ( Clangula clangula americana) seed of Zostera 
and shells of Lacuna vincta and Margarita helicina, both associates on the 
eelgrass, have been identified. 
A King Eider, shot at Scarborough, during the winter of 1907-08, had 
its gullet filled with large specimens of Crammarus locusta, the common 
sea flea of our shores. Another taken in 1908 was similarly filled with 
young crabs ( Cancer irroratus), in both instances to the exclusion of other 
food. 
In the stomachs of Canada Geese, and Brant ( Branta bernicla glauco- 
gastra) I have found rhizomes of Zostera, and in the Canada Goose, sea let¬ 
tuce ( XJlva lactuca). 
In the stomach of the Common Bittern, besides frogs, I have seen the 
field mouse ( M-icrotus pennsylvanicus) and the large Water Beetle ( Disty - 
cus). 
In the stomach of a Dowitcher (Macrohamphus griseus), maggots, prob¬ 
ably Coleopa frigida, a beach fly which abounds on our coast, breeding in 
decaying sea weeds at or above high tide mark. 
Arquatella maritima is abundant on the outermost ledges and islands 
east of Cape Small. I have found its diet to consist commonly of small 
blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis) and barnacles ( Balanus balanoides), the same 
diet, and same resort, as that of the Turnstone ( Arenaria interpres morin- 
ella). — Arthur H. Norton, Portland, Maine. 
Auk ae, ini- iZ, no. 
C ra. W ^vt'J 3'laic A / c*Za r „^ jJ/r>-6. 
1 . Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. — On September 25 , 1907 , 
three of these birds visited the Notch. Two of them remained in the air 
while the third alighted for a few moments on Saco Lake, a tiny sheet of 
water. Another example occurred on September 25 , 1908 . It remained 
the greater part of the forenoon. 
Auk 2(3 , Oct-100S,p, e/jy 
