Clanmula clan^ula eagerioana . 
Lake Uinbagog, Maine. 
1897. But the most interesting experience of the evening re- 
May 30. mains to be mentioned. Soon after we had cast anchor (at 4 
P.M. in Leanferd's Pond) four Whistlers, all, as far as I could 
make out with ray glass, females, began flying about over the 
stubs in a peculiar manner now rising high above them, next d 
descending and dashing between the trunks and branches, moving 
their wings incessantly as in ordinary flight but describing 
a succession of circles, in the centre of which stood a re- 
raarkably tall stub with a shattered, jagged top. Around A they 
would pass a dozen times or more gradually narrowing their 
circles and drawing nearer to the stub until at length one 
bird leaving the rest would pitch first downward, then sharp¬ 
ly upward still moving its wings but using them at the last 
to check rather than to increase its headway. On reaching 
the stub it would try to alight on the ragged top. Usually 
the attempt failed when the bird, continuing its flight, would 
disappear through the trees, presently reappearing above them 
to begin circling again; but twice it gained a foothold and 
actually remained perched on the to7) of the stub for several 
seconds although it was obliged to keep its wings almost con¬ 
stantly in motion to maintain its balance. 
On several occasions it seemed to direct its upward 
sweep towards a point a foot or two below the top of the stub 
and once, when no Ducks were in sight circling, I distinctly 
T\ 
