Reports of Field Agents 427 



REPORTS OF FIELD AGENTS 



REPORT OF ARTHUR H. NORTON, FIELD AGENT 



FOR MAINE 



The work of this year has been that of attending to a rather wide range of 

 detail, such as answering questions by mail and otherwise on various subjects, 

 relating to birds, their protection, housing, feeding, pro\dding nesting-quarters, 

 and so forth; distributing posters to the Association's wardens, and to owners 

 of private estates; and gathering information useful to the Association in 

 conducting its work in this region. 



There has been no general session of the Legislature this year. As an effect 

 of an act passed in 191 5, moose have enjoyed two breeding-seasons and one 

 shooting-season without molestation. Frequent reports this fall indicate the 

 presence of these animals in sections where none have been seen for years, 

 indicating an extension of their recently restricted range, and probably an 

 increase in their numbers. 



During the summer, the colony of Gulls at Ten Pound Island was visited. 

 While the birds had raised many young, and showed no signs of disturbance, 

 considerable mortality of young was evident. This probably was due to fre- 

 quent rains during the period when they were unable to fly. Their colony was 

 estimated to contain not less than 1,000 adult Gulls. The colony of 

 Terns at Matinicus Rock was found to be in its usual good condition, large 

 numbers of young being about to leave the island. At the Outer Green Island, 

 in Casco Bay, a colony of about 500 Terns had bred, without molestation. 

 Both here and at Matinicus Rock some mortality of the young was evident. 



Attention may be called to the fact that another session of the State 

 Legislature will convene early in January, 19 17, requiring another period of 

 vigilance. 



REPORT OF WINTHROP PACKARD, FIELD AGENT 

 FOR MASSACHUSETTS 



During the past year, New England has responded heartily to the activi- 

 ties of your Massachusetts agent. He has been able to add 106 sustaining 

 members and 23 life members to the rolls of the society, fees and contributions 

 totaling $2,781.50, and the entire expense of the office being $2,289.99, which 

 leaves a balance on the right side of the ledger of $491.51. 



More than 16,000 letters have been sent during the year to carefully selected 

 lists of New Englanders, urging them to aid the work of the society by personal 

 effort in the cause of bird-protection, and by becoming members. Many 

 persons have been reached through personal interviews, the office at 66 New- 

 bury St., Boston, being the headquarters for New Englanders in search of 



