354 Bird - Lore 



"an example for humanitarians, North and South." The children of Virginia 

 will ask that the Robin, the friend of their childhood, shall be taken off the 

 game list. 



REPORT OF FRANCIS HARPER ON GARDINER'S 

 ISLAND (N. Y.) BIRD COLONIES 



It was my pleasure to visit Gardiner's Island, New York, during the past 

 summer. My stay extended from June 8 to June ig, during part of which 

 time I had as associates several enthusiastic bird-lovers from the neighbor- 

 hood of New York. 



The colony of Common Terns located on the beach and the marsh at the 

 south end of the island numbered about 200 individuals. This is apparently 

 an increase since igo8, when I estimated the number at 150. The colony may 

 include one or two pairs of Roseate Terns, since I noted several of these birds 

 in the immediate vicinity. The entire colony seems to be perfectly free from 

 molestation of any sort. About seven or eight pairs of Piping Plover also 

 breed at this end of the island. 



On June 18, I spent most of the day at Cortright Island. This is a sandy 

 strip, about half a mile long, which was formed only six or eight years ago, 

 and lies just off the south end of Gardiner's Island. A vigorous colony of birds 

 is located here. Perhaps 500 to 600 Common Terns and from five to ten pairs 

 of Roseate Terns breed on the island, not to mention several Fish Hawks, 

 Piping Plover, and Spotted Sandpipers. I noticed two or three dead Common 

 Terns, but found no other evidence that the birds were disturbed in 

 any way. 



We were told by the fishermen that several hundred Terns nest around 

 the old fortifications on Gardiner's Point, at the north end of the island, but 

 we did not have an opportunity to visit the place. The fishermen also stated 

 that a considerable number of eggs had been taken there in previous years. 



In spite of statements to the effect that the Fish Hawks of the island are 

 not increasing, my impression is that they are now more numerous than in 

 1908; an impression also shared by my companion, Mr. Howard H. Cleaves, 

 who accompanied me. For instance, from a single vantage point I counted 

 thirty-five nests. Full twenty nests built on the ground or boulders are to 

 be found on Gardiner's and Cortright Islands. 



There is a large and flourishing colony of Night Herons near Tobacco Lot 

 Pond. It was found to contain 200 or more birds. Several Great Blue Herons 

 were also noted here. We saw five or six Short-eared Owls almost daily near 

 the south end of Gardiner's Island. 



Mr. Cleaves recorded fifty-one species of birds on Gardiner's Island during 

 the course of his stay, which extended over a period of seven days, beginning 

 June 8. 



