[4] 



numbers of Terns which breed there, roughly 

 estimated at between 500 and 600 pairs. 

 In the course of investigations a collection of 

 thirty-eight Terns' eggs was discovered in a 

 clump of nettles ; these had been roughly 

 thrown aside, and were all fresh ; in other 

 parts of the island, evidence was found which 

 showed that some mischievous person or 

 persons had recently been there, as a large 

 number of nests were entirely bereft of eggs, 

 showing that the contents had been stolen. 

 When on June 26th, Mr. Nicholson again 

 visited the island, hoping to secure some photo- 



As a result three Warning notice-boards 

 were erected at the Society's expense, 

 Mr, Nicholson enrolled himself an honorary 

 Watcher, and undertook to visit the island 

 periodically, and to act promptly in the 

 event of any further infringement of the 

 law with respect to birds and eggs. These 

 notice-boards being particularly substantial 

 and strong, have been dubbed " Dread- 

 noughts." Similar boards bearing the 

 Society's name and its deterrent Warnings 

 are now to be seen on several storm-swept 

 islands in the north, and off the Welsh coast, 



THE ISLAND OF MICKERY. 



graphs of young birds, he found that great 

 damage had been committed by shooting 

 the old birds whose bodies were strewn on 

 the ground, and discovered nests of starving 

 nestlings. Upon enquiries being made, it 

 appeared that boats containing three or four 

 persons were wont to come over from some 

 of the adjacent villages along the coast for 

 the purpose of bird-shooting and indiscrimi- 

 nate nest-robbing. Upon these facts being 

 communicated to the Watchers Committee, 

 the matter was taken in hand, letters were 

 written to the police and to the owner of the 

 island. 



as well as in the neighbourhood of some south 

 coast watering-places. 



On July 9th, 1911, the Watcher reported 

 having visited the island, and having found 

 the notice-boards intact, and Terns breeding 

 in large numbers, both eggs and chicks being 

 in various stages of incubation and growth. 

 There had been a heavy mortality among 

 the young chicks caused by their being 

 trampled underfoot by parties of visitors, 

 unacquainted with the habit of the young 

 birds of seeking the shelter of the grass 

 wherein to hide ; at least forty chicks had 

 perished in this way. Many of the very young 



