^2 DuTCHER, Protection of Gulls and Terns. ftn'^ 



were flying about among them with open mouths. The ants are 

 here for two days about the same date each year. It is a common 

 thing to see the terns catch the ants, also mosquitoes and grass- 

 hoppers." 



Mr. J. B. Rider had charge of a small colony of terns, about 

 150 pairs, on the beach and marsh near Little Egg Harbor. He 

 thinks that nearly 300 young were raised. By using the linen 

 posters freely along the beach and watching the summer boarder 

 with a gun, he succeeded in saving the birds. 



Maryland. — Mr. S. B. Harman cares for the beaches and 

 marshes near Cedar Town on which the Mackerel Gull (tern) 

 breeds ; he says "the number of birds that can be seen at one 

 time is sufficient proof that the efforts of your society have been 

 a great success." 



Virginia. — John B. Whealton, of the Wallops Beach Life 

 Saving Station, estimates in his territory, a district of beach and 

 marsh seven miles long, the following increase in birds ; Mud Hens 

 (yRalbis crepitans) and Willet (^Symphejnia semipalmata) , large num- 

 ber ; Black-headed Gull {Larus atricilla) , 2000; Strikers {Sterna 

 hiriindo. S.forsteri, and S. antillarimi) , 3000. 



He had some difficulty in stopping egging, even after the close 

 season commenced. He thinks that the law should be changed 

 so that egging should not be permitted at any time. 



Mr. N. B. Rich, of Assateague Beach Life Saving Station, pro- 

 tects a territory seven miles long by three wide. It is both sand 

 beach and high salt meadow and was formerly an island. Birds 

 protected were Willet, Mud Hens, Laughing Gulls, Terns and some 

 Snipe. He estimates a large increase in the birds. He reports 

 two cases where summer boarders killed a few terns, but promised 

 never to do so again if not prosecuted for the first offense. " Boats 

 used to come from New Jersey and North Carolina for the pur- 

 pose of killing gulls and terns for millinery purposes but have 

 stopped since I have been looking for them." 



Mr. L. F. Taylor, of the Metomkin Beach Life Saving Station, 

 cared for a district seven miles long, sand beach and marsh. 

 Birds protected were Marsh Hens, Laughing Gulls, Willets, and 

 Big and Little Strikers {Sterna). A normal increase took place, 

 as on one occasion only did he have to stop illegal shooting. 



