Results Achieved 



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to make preliniiiiarN' rc'|)()rts of the coiiditioiis at his station during tlie season, 

 and a tinal re[)ort or suiiiniaf\- at the tlose of tiie hreediii}; ])eriod, or when the 

 young birds are all awin^. \'ery often we are fortunate enough to have some 

 member of the Assoeialion, wlio is a trained ornitholoj^Mst, make a tour of in- 

 spection. This \ear the coast of Maine and a i)arl of the Virginia coast were 

 visited, and the reports are appended. In addition, Professor Watson of 

 Chicago, a biologist, took charge of the bird colonies at the Dry Tortugas, 

 Florida, and his very interesting report is given in full. 



There were the usual number of excessive tides, when thousands of eggs or 

 young birds were swept away; but such natural tragedies are to be expected. If 

 we can prevent interference by man, the balance established by nature will be 

 maintained. P>om every station, the wardens report that the birds are becoming 

 more tame and fearless of man, and this statement is often verified by letters 

 to the Association from members or persons who have noticed the change. Fur- 

 ther, when the birds are permitted to breed undisturbed, the first clutch of eggs 

 is hatched, and the young birds mature early in the season, and are much stronger 

 and more able to care for themselves when the migration period is reached than 

 birds that are hatched late in the season. To detail the reports of each warden 

 would take far more space than can be allowed, but from them it is safe to say 

 that during the past season many, many thousands of sea-birds were raised. 



UNCLE MARK YOUXC, FAITHFUL WARDEN, NO-MAN'S-LAND ISLAND, MAINE 

 Largest colony of Herring Gulls in the United States. They are known as Uncle Mark's pets 



