3i8 Bird -Lore 



Clapper Rails are still abundant on the meadows, where they are almost 

 constantly heard, though less often seen. We found a great many nests, but 

 saw practically no young birds. 



The eggs we found were probably second sets, but we were unable to decide 

 whether the earlier sets had been destroyed by high tides or whether they had 

 hatched and the young were keeping out of sight. The eggs are taken to some 

 extent by the fishermen, but not so regularly as the Gulls' eggs, which are larger 

 and more easily collected. 



There were two very large colonies of Black Skimmers nesting on Pig Island, 

 a small colony on Cobb's Island and a large colony on Wreck Island. They 

 were only just beginning to lay, and hardly any of the sets were complete before 

 we left. I doubt if many of the eggs are taken by the fishermen, though they 

 are considered good eating; they do not begin laying much before the egging 

 season closes. The birds are not shot or disturbed in any way, and I do not see 

 why they should not hold their own for many years to come. 



Of the Willets, there were not over three pairs, and I am inclined to think 

 that there were only two pairs, as we never saw more than four birds at one 

 time. They frequented the north end of Cobb's Island and had apparently 

 finished breeding. About three or four pairs of Wilson's Plovers also frequented 

 the same locality and had evidently been breeding here; they acted as if they 

 had young in the vicinity, but we could not find them. Both of these species 

 are, in my opinion, doomed to speedy extermination in this locality, as they 

 are far from wary and will sooner or later be killed by some of the numerous 

 shore-bird hunters, who come here to shoot the migrant birds in the spring as 

 well as in the fall. 



Less than half a dozen pairs of American Oyster-catchers were seen, — one 

 pair on Pig Island, two or three pairs on Cobb's Island, and one pair on Wreck 

 Island. The latter pair evidently had young, but the others were apparently 

 through breeding. 



These birds are exceedingly wary and better able to survive; moreover they 

 are not considered good eating and therefore are not sought for by the gunner, 

 but it hardly seems likely that they can last many years more. 



To sum up my conclusions — I should say that the Royal and Least Terns 

 are hopelessly gone; the Gull-billed Tern, Willet, Wilson's Plover and American 

 Oyster-catcher are doomed, and nothing can be done to save them; but the Laugh- 

 ing Gull, Forster's and Common Terns, Black Skimmers and Clapper Rails 

 are now being adequately protected, and should survive. 



The wardens seem to be doing their work effectively and the laws are respected. 

 But the egging season might be shortened and spring shooting ought to be 

 stopped entirely. The only possible way to save the three shore birds which 

 now breed on Cobb's Island would be to make it a reservation and stop all 

 shooting there at all times. As the eastern Willet is rapidly approaching extermi- 

 nation, it would seem worth while to protect it. — A. C. Bent. 



