Merganser americanus . 
* 
Lake Umbagog, Ma ine. 
1890. Early this morning Jim discovered a flock of Ducks in 
Oct.24. the Lake near Black Island. They kept well out in deep water 
and we supposed them to be Scoters but they proved to be 
Sheldrake. At one time they worked in close to shore and I 
landed on the back side of the point and came very near get¬ 
ting a shot at them but they soon swam out into the Lake a- 
gain although there was a heavy sea running, and began diving 
in deep water 400 to 500 yds. from land. At times all would 
be under water at once but usually several remained on watch 
while the others were below. There were 21 birds in the flock 
and all appeared to be females or young males. They frequent¬ 
ly "bunched" but usually swam in several small clusters with 
single birds scattered between. They kept diving in nearly 
one place for over an hour but finally came in to some rocks 
where they clambered out and preened their feathers some of 
them standing erect, others with the body nearly horizontal. 
One clambered to the to;a of a rock 4 or 5 ft. above the water 
where it kept a keen lookout. I do not remember ever seeing 
Sheldrake fish in deep, open water before. 
j 
i 
