Reports of Special Agents 325 



place and No-Man's-Land no indications of disturbance were to be seen, and 

 the same is true of the small colony on Metinic Green Island. 



Quite large numbers still breed at both Egg Rocks in Muscongus Bay, and 

 their burrows and peculiar odor were very conspicuous. Here they have been 

 killed and eaten, to a considerable extent, by some predaccous animal, perhaps 

 Crows or Ravens. A couple of these black marauders were seen at the Western 

 Egg Rock, but too fur awa\- for identification. The Muscongus Jiay colonies 

 are likely always to remain at the mercy of natural conditions. 



The Duck Island colonies and the smaller ones at Matinicus are now fully 

 protected. By the timely exclusion of dogs and cats from the Seal Island, this 

 important colony can also be saved. The once large colon\- at Wooden Ball has 

 been sadly reduced by camping. 



Double-crested Cormorant. — This species continues to remain on our 

 coast in small numbers. The colony at Pulpit Rock was of its usual size, and 

 birds were very tame. Landing was not made, and no nests could be seen from 

 the boat. I caused one of my boatmen to run out to Black Rock, near Cone Island, 

 where, according to a report. Cormorants breed. Three of the birds were nest- 

 ing there, but the ledges are entirely unfit for a breeding place, being so low that 

 it must be swept over during gales from the outside, and it is very small. The 

 flock at No-Man's-Land numbered thirty at the time of my visit, all males in 

 glossy plumage. A few brown birds were seen fishing about the island. No 

 evidences of nests were found. It is to be expected that they will begin breeding 

 at this point if the present excellent conditions continue. This place became 

 a summer roost in 1903, when I saw but live. 



American Eider. — There are probably today no Eiders breeding on the 

 coast of Maine, except those at Old Man's Island near our eastern boundary. 

 The island has been leased to the National Association by the Governor and 

 Council of Maine, it being state property. Capt. Fred. E. Small, keeper of the 

 Cross island Life-Saving Station, warden for the Association, has erected a large 

 sign, informing all who approach the rugged shores that it is a reservation for 

 wild birds. This warning has been so well respected that the Ducks have become 

 remarkably tame. Without this effort of the Association, we should now un- 

 doubtedly have to record this species among those extirpated from the state. 



The shores of the island rise nearly perpendicularly from forty to one hundred 

 feet (estimated), nearly all around, except at the southwest or outer part, which 

 slopes away gradually to low-water mark. Here, scvcnt\-five }ards off, several 

 quarter-tide ledges lay, making, at low water or rough weather, a narrow, rocky 

 and treacherous passage between them and the shore. This part of the island 

 is exposed to the full and ceaseless action of the surf. 



Here the Ducks find a congenial resort, in the rough water and about the 

 ledges. The top of the island, which is rent completely in two by means of a 

 washed-out dike, four to six feet wide, appears like an elevated plateau, clothed 

 to the bank with white spruce and fir, low, scrubby and dense. Man\- dead 



