Merganser amerioanus . 
Lake Umbagog, New England. 
Will Sargent tells me that he has often seen Sheldrake par¬ 
tially immerse their hea^ds in this way and he agrees with me 
in believing that it is done for the purpose of enabling the 
bird to discover its fishy prey without the trouble of diving. 
1898. 
Aug.28. 
(No.3). 
I 
;Sept.9 
I 
After passing the point these Sheldrake entered our Duck 
Cove and encircled it finally passing out around the next point 
beyond. During the whole time that we watched them they must 
have covered nearly a mile of shore line. I do not doubt that 
they often traverse a dozen miles or more in a day keeping all 
the while within a few yards (oftener within three or four 
feet) of the water's edge. 
When I first looked out from the tent at about half-past 
five the Lake was densely shrouded in fog. As I stood listen¬ 
ing to the cry of a Loon some waves rolling out from the shore 
attracted my attention to a file of Sheldrakes that were pass¬ 
ing within twenty yards of me close in under the rocks. I 
counted six of them. A few moments later I saw them crossing 
the mouth of the boat cove, cleaving deep furrows in the 
glossy surface. I could trace each furrow to its apex after 
the grayish colored bird that was making it had become com¬ 
pletely merged in the gray fog. 
v. 
1899. 
Merganser americamiR. 
Oct 
j 
Oxford Co., Me. 
Lake Umbagog. 
/of 
