1889, 
October 25. 
Ik mhodytes cuoullatus . 
Lake Uinb agog. 
Leonard 's Pond . 
Crossed the island and found my birds, six Hooded Mer¬ 
gansers, three of them adult males in full plymage. It was some¬ 
time before I recognized them for their kept their crests closed. 
They followed the opposite shore diving incessantly. I watched 
them over an hour but they would not cross to my side. 
October 24. Lake Umbagog. 
Rapid River . 
A flock of six Hooded Mergansers, three of them adult 
males, doubtless the same birds seen in Leonard's Pond yesterday. 
Had a fine chance to stalk them by crossing a narrow neck of land, 
but just as I felt sure of them I heard one give a warning kok 
followed by a rolling k -r.-£-r_-r.•' I could see a superb old drake 
swimming within easy range, but the bushes in the way were so 
dense that I dared not risk a shot. A moment later I saw the flock 
out in the middle of the river with necks stretched up and soon 
after they flew and went out over the lake. Their powers of 
sight and hearing must be extraordinary. The drake I saw near me 
had his crest fully expanded. 
' • * « « 
1890 i Lake Umbagog. 
October 16. Bottle Brook Pond . 
1~be jlen m 
Near the end of the point I caught A of a white breast on 
an old snag, and directing my glass to the spot made out four 
hooded Mergansers, sitting on a log sunning themselves. There was 
a good chance to stalk them under cover of the bushes but they 
must have heard me for when I got within shot of the log and peeped 
over the bank they were gone and I discovered them swimming up the 
middle of the pond toward'.s M. 1 s station. For a long time they 
cruised back and forth in the open water, diving a good deal for 
food. 
