Melanetta valvetina. 
2 
1872. 
Han,« Peb. Large nupibers in Boston Market from Cape Cod, most- 
ly i.mmatnre birds. 
1875. 
Sept,22. 
A flock passing high over Smith’s Point, Nantucket, 
“ 29. 
A small flock passing over Coatue Point flying lov^ 
dovm, (Nantucket). 
1876, 
Apr. 13. 
A fev^ scattering individuals. (Point Leproaux,N.B.) 
“ 15. 
A few single birds passing, all keeping apart from 
the other Coots, (Point Lepreaux, N.B.), 
“ 18. 
Flying this morning in fair numbers, almost invaria¬ 
bly apart from the other species, occasionally in company 
v^ith Surf Scoters, very rarely v^ith Oe.americana. (Point 
Lepreaux,N.B,). 
CO 
• 
At least half of the Coots migrating this morning 
wore of this species. I hoard its note to-flay for the 
first time; it is a hoarse hae-hac-hac-bac- very like 
the cry of the Surf Scoter but a little higher in tone. 
Point Lepreaux,N.B,), 
« 21. 
A flock off Thatcher’s Island,Mass, 
May 6, 
Several flocks (Chatham,Mass. ). 
“ 16. 
In am immense bod of Coots congregated just outside 
the surf off Chatham,Mass., this species was equally as 
fully as numerously represented as either the American 
or Surf Scoters (See obs. under Oodemia americana). 
“ 17. 
A flock of about one hundred was passing high over 
head towards the north v/hen my companion (Mr,Brown) sud¬ 
denly gave a loud yell. Instantly the whole flock came 
pitching dovm headlong, each bird acting precisely as if 
it nad been shot; as the descended their set wings pro¬ 
duced a rushing sound like wind roaring through pines. 
They all came to within a few feet of the water and then 
1881. 
resumed their journey. We tried this experiment on sev¬ 
eral other flocks and it invariably proved successful. 
(Chatham,Mass.), 
Jan.3. Saw one in Swampscott Harbor. 
