229 
Mergus americanus. 
Middlosox County, Mass. 
A flock of about thirty cams into Fresh Pond about 
sunrise, alighting near the middle. Two that had boon 
feeding near shore swam out and brought the staangers 
back with them. The flock scattered over a considera¬ 
ble space along the rocky shore near the Tudor boat-house, 
some taking to the land to preem their plumage, others 
half-swimming hafl-v/'ading in the shallow vmter, many di¬ 
ving for fish, and a few well out in the pond cruising 
about with heads erect on the lookout for danger, 
I crept up behind the boat-house and waiting a mo¬ 
ment until three birds came together, fired, killing two 
and wounding the third. 
Yfhen the first alighted in the pond they struck the 
water in a long line their heavy bodies sending the spray 
several feet into the air. At my shot they immediately 
flew, splashing along the surface for several yards be¬ 
fore they got fairly clear of it. 
3.868. 
Dee, 8, An adult male and a female or young on Fresh Pond, 
1869. 
Apr, 8. Several in adult plumage on Concord River, 
1871. 
Mar* 23, Abundant on Concord River, By covering our boat 
with pine bows we easily paddled within shot. One which 
I killed had just swallowed tyro pickerel, one of which 
■ !i weighed about one ^juarter of a pound. The stomachs of 
others were filled with fish bones. 
1872, 
Jan.A Feb. A few seen in Boston market. 
Mar. 3o» A flock fishing in the river at Concord, 
Apr, 3, Three on Concord River in ccffnpany with two Black 
Ducks; wo tried to approach them in a brushed boat when 
the Black Ducks gave the alarm. 
* Several flocks on the flooded meadows of Concord 
River, Paddled within gun-shot of tvro flocks by brush¬ 
ing our boat, and killed five specimens. These Shel¬ 
drake v/ere feeding on the flooded meadows where the water 
was about two feet deep; those killed contained fish 
several inches long, mostly shiners. Their notes were a 
harsh croak, and a long rolling guttural cry. The lat¬ 
ter-, I think uttered only by the males, could be heard 
at an extraordinary distance. They did not seem to be 
paired. The males were in excess of the females. 
They were very shy rising a quarter of a mile ahead if 
the exposed side of our boat tmrned towards them. 
We noticed that when part of the flock wore alarmed at 
anything, and took wing, the remainder did not start or 
show even-much suspicion unless the object was visible to 
them also. 
1867. 
^ ciU, OQ , 
