SUMMER BIRD-LIFE OF COBB'S ISLAND, VIRGINIA 



A SHELL-STREWN sand l)ar seven miles long and about the same 

 distance from the mainland, Cobb's Island, oflF eastern Virginia, 

 is an ideal resort for sea-birds. Here they are beyond the reach 

 of most bird enemies, while the surrounding waters furnish an unfail- 

 ing supply of food. The home of the birds has little or no value as 

 "real estate"; they themselves are unfit for food, and it might have been 

 supposed that their continued existence was assured. But about twenty- 

 five vears ago they suddenly acquired a commercial value. Their plum- 

 age became fashional)le for millinery purposes. As a result, thousands 

 of l)irds were slaughtered on their nesting-grounds, and within a few 

 seasons some of the most abundant species were practically extermi- 

 nated. 



At no place were more l)inls killed than on Col)b's Island and the 

 islands immediately adjoining it. In a single day 1,200 Least Terns 

 were shot on Cobb's Island; in three days three baymen killed 2,800 

 Terns in the same locality, at the end of two seasons the Least Terns, 

 for whic-h there was especial demand, no longer existed in this region, 

 and the Common Terns were greatly reduced in numbers. Fortunately 

 the State of Virginia passed a law prohibiting the killing of these birds, 

 and for several years past the National Association of Audubon Societies 

 has provided a warden to enforce this law during the nesting season. 



In response to this protection the birds are now increasing in numbers 

 and in time may become as abundant as they formerly were. The Least 

 Terns have not as yet reappeared on Cobb's Island, there being no stock 

 to begin with ; but the Common Terns are yearly becoming more num- 

 erous, several hundred pairs having nested on the island in the summer 

 of 1902. 



Besides the Common Terns, Skimmers, (nill-l)illed Terns, Oyster- 

 catchers and Wilson's Plovers now nest on the beach of Cobb's Island; 

 while in the marshes which flank the beach on the bay, or west side, 

 numerous Laughing Gulls, a few Forster's Terns and many Clapper 

 Rails, or Marsh Hens, make their nests. 



