BIRD ROOKERIES OF TORTUGAS BARTSCH. 477 



I could not however obtain a sufficiently accurate description of tlie different 

 states of plumage which they go through, so as to enable me to describe them 

 in the manner I should wish to do. All that I can say is, that before they 

 take their departure, the young are grayish-brown above, dull white beneath, 

 and have the tail very short. 



At Bird Key we found a party of Spanish Eggers from Havaunah. They 

 had already laid in a cargo of about eight tons of the eggs of this Tern and the 

 Noddy. On asking them how many they supposed they had, they answered 

 that they never counted them, even while selling them, but disposed of them at 

 seventy-five cents per gallon ; and that one turn to market sometimes produced 

 upwards of two hundred dollars, while it took only a week to sail backwards 

 and forwards and collect their cargo. Some eggers, who now and then come 

 from Key West, sell their eggs at twelve and a half cents the dozen ; but where- 

 ever these eggs are carried, they must soon be disposed of and eaten, for they 

 become putrid in a few weeks. 



On referring to my journal once more, I find the following remarks with 

 reference to the Sooty Tern. It would appear that at some period not very 

 remote, the Noddy, Sterna stolida, must have had it in contemplation to ap- 

 propriate to itself its neighbour's domains; as on examination of this island, 

 several thousand nests of that bird were found built on the tops of the bushes, 

 although no birds of the species were about them. It is therefore probable that 

 if such an attempt was made by them, they were defeated and forced to con- 

 tine themselves to the neighbouring island, where they breed by themselves, 

 although it is only a few miles distant. That such interferences and conflicts 

 now and then occur among different species of birds, has often been observed 

 by other persons, and in several instances by myself, particularly among 

 Herons. In these cases, right or wrong, the stronger party never fails to dis- 

 lodge the weaker, and keep possession of the disputed ground. 



Soon after the birds arrive on the ishmd a nesting- site is sought. 

 Dr. Watson gives a most graphic account of this. I shall therefore 

 let him speak. 



My observations began late one afternoon, before any eggs had been laid. 

 Hundreds of the birds were grouped together, incessantly fighting and scream- 

 ing. It quickly became apparent that most of them had chosen a nest site and 

 were defending it against all late comers. Both male and female were present. 

 Each pair in this particular locality defended a circular territory, roughly 14 

 inches to 2 feet in diameter. Other birds in w^andering around would stumble 

 into this sacred territory and a fight would ensue. The fights would often lead 

 to encroachments upon the territory of still other birds. The number of those 

 fighting would thus be constantly increased. I have seen as many as 14 sooties 

 thus engaging in a fight. Birds 10 and 15 feet away would rush into the fight 

 and the noise and confusion beggared description. Sometimes as many as 10 

 or 15 such fighting groups could be observed in the area of 1,000 square feet. 

 Quiet would momentarily ensue and then be broken by another series of fights. 

 During the choice of the nesting site the fights continue day and night, with 

 only intermittent periods of quiet. 



Of the actual nest construction he tells the following: 



The actual construction of the nest, when a nest structure is formed, begins 

 after an undefended area has been found. The process of nest building is some- 

 what as follows: The bird puts the breast to the ground, thereby supporting 

 the body and leaving tlie legs comparatively free. The feet are used as a com- 



