Report of Exploration of Seabird Colonies 



On the Coast of Louisiana West of the Mississippi River, Made in the Interests of 



the National Association of Audubon Societies, May 15, 1907, to June 21, 1907 



By H. H. KOPMAN 



In submitting a report of the conditions of sea-bird life observed during the 

 ■cruise along the coast of Louisiana between the Sabine river and Pass a L'Outre, 

 Mississippi river, from May 15 to June 21, 1907, I would first call attention to 

 several general features of the situation now confronting an attempt to establish 

 breeding reservations in the regions under consideration. 



First. The birds of the territory visited showed a decided disposition to 

 •congregate during the nesting season within two comparatively small areas, one 

 being the chain of outer islands from Isle Derniere to East Timbalier, and the 

 other being the mud lumps off the mouths of the Mississippi; practically all 

 the nesting colonies found were within these two areas. 



While the fact just instanced would doubtless facilitate in the work of pro- 

 tection, it indicates that the birds of the western coast of Louisiana are not dis- 

 playing at present their normal breeding vigor because of lack of confidence in 

 their surroundings, due to recent as well as to previous persecution. Islands 

 known to have been used formerly as breeding resorts were found deserted 

 during the past season, or, if occupied, the birds showed no disposition to take up 

 heir nesting duties. While it was reasonable to suspect the presence of non- 

 breed ng birds at most of the islands, the proportion of these seemed unusually 

 large. 



In conclusion, as regards this particular subject, it is my belief that, after 

 several years of careful warden supervision of the coast explored, the extent of 

 the nesting territory would be greatly increased, and that islands now used only 

 by feeding and resting birds during the present season would become regular 

 nesting resorts. 



Second. The most important single discoveries made were the colonies of 

 Laughing Gulls, Black Skimmers, and Louisiana Herons on East Timbalier, 

 :and the Brown Pelicans on the mud lumps off Southwest Pass. Although the 

 birds on East Timbalier have been greatly molested this year, they have not 

 been altogether discouraged. In the case of the Pelicans on the 'mud lumps' 

 .•at Southwest and other passes of the Mississippi, there seems to be little disposi- 

 tion in that neighborhood to molest the birds, and apparently full broods were 

 raised. I was informed by the United States engineers in charge of the dredging 

 operations at Southwest Pass, where the new concrete jetties are being constructed 

 .-at a cost of several million dollars, that the mud lumps off the Passes are part 

 of the territory under National control. There lumps appear, disappear, and 

 reappear from time to time, but always within the same general areas. I saw 

 none more than a mile from shore, and most of them are closely adjacent to the 

 .actua' outlets of the river. Some of them have grown to an elevation of six or 



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