f 
Lexington, Mass. 
"On the I3th of June I explored a shallow pond grown to button- 
bushes, in Lexington. I had hardly got off from the shore when I 
heard a new (to me) note among the bushes,--ouh--ouk ^ei^ - c:a2>- ny^-~ P.QJL 1 
cow , cow (the cows with a falling inflection). It sounded like a 
_ - 
Florida Gallinule trying to sing like a Cuckoo. I could see noth** 
ing of the birds, but the notes came from the bushes on all sides. 
Thinking I might possibly find a nest I waded through the bushes 
in water from hips to waist; but neither found nest.nor saw bird. 
I then returned to boat and kept perfectly still when presently a 
Pied-billed Grebe sailed out into the open with two newly-hatched 
young at her heels. Soon a solitary male swam out and gave a di- 
ving exhibition. I estimated the number seen or heard that morning 
at 8 to 10. On the 20th my estimate was 12. What a pity I did 
not "get on to" them earlier in the season, in time to find the 
nest and eggs. From the character of the notes I anticipated see¬ 
ing Coots or Purple Galllnules rather than Grebes. 
WalterFaxon (letter July I, 1091). 
From the top of a knoll I had four Grebes in view at once, and 
simultaneously heard two more calling in other parts of the meadow- 
six at a lick. It is absolutely impossible to estimate the number 
of Grebes in this body of water, as they move from place to place 
with such celerity. I had begun to think from recent experience at 
the meadow, that the number was much less than last year. But to¬ 
day I feel more cherrful about it. The best time to see and hear 
them is when the water is perfectly calm. One day they will show 
up—the next you would hardly know there was a Grebe in the swamp. 
Walter Faxon (letter May II, 1893)•*- 7g - 
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