I don't think I'm going too far out on a limb to guess that the birds were shov
ellers, mallard sized ducks with green heads but much longer bills. They regul
arly swim around in circles, filtering small items from the water with their ge
nerous bills equipped with hairlike edges. They are very 'neat' birds and can
form the first of many additions to your newly formulated _life list_. Happy b
irding from here on out. bob o'brien, portland.