356 



Bird - Lore 



Upon approaching the colony, we were of the opinion that each bird of 

 the solid masses seen w^as standing o\'er her nest ; but we soon came to the con- 

 clusion that this massing was simply one of the social traits of the Skimmer, 

 for, shortly after a bunch of birds was disturbed, a few individuals would settle 

 on the sand, and about this nucleus would reassemble the entire company. 



We had not far to search to find our first Skimmer's nest, but, considering 

 the numbers of birds present, we were highly disappointed in not discovering 

 greater numbers of nests as our search progressed. There were scores of depres- 

 sions in the sand that were evidently the deserted nests of birds. The reason 

 for this was brought forcibly to our notice the next morning, for, just as we 



BLACK SKIMMER EGG 



GATHERED BY EGGERS OX COBB' 

 Photographed bj' Howard H. Cleaves 



VIRGINIA 



were preparing breakfast, we observed a very much perturbed cloud of birds 

 above the southern portion of the island, and presently we made out the forms 

 of three men walking about as they advanced toward us, stooping at frequent 

 intervals to pick up the eggs of the 'Flood Gulls,' as the Skimmers are locally 

 called. Through our field-glasses we could make out that one of the party 

 carried a basket, in which all three men were depositing their finds. 



On approaching the trio we found the 'eggers' to be quiet, congenial fel- 

 lows, who had no more scruples about robbing the 'Gulls' of their eggs than any 

 one might have about gathering the eggs of the barnyard fowl or collecting 

 apples in an orchard. Egging had been indulged in for generations^fathers, 



