^°''i^oV"l DuTCHER, Protection of Gulls and Terns. 79 



Black Skimmer {Ry?ickops nigra). — 2,000 to 3,000. 



Black-headed Gull {Larus atricilla). — A few. Used to be a great breed- 

 ing place for them, but none have bred of late years. 



Smif/is Is /and. 



American Oyster-catcher {Hcematofms palliatus). — 6 pairs. Only two 

 pairs last 3'ear. 



Wilson's Plover {^Egialitis xvilsonia). — Some. 

 Willet [Symphemia semipa/mata). — 8-10 pairs. 

 Clapper Rail {Rallus crepitans). — 1,000 or more. 



North end of Smiths Is kind. 



Common Tern [Sterna iiirundo). 50-100, — first in 10 years. 



Laughing Gull {Larus atricilla). 100-150 ; none last year. 



American Oyster-catcher {HcEinatopus palliatus). 3 pairs ; 2 pairs last 

 year. 



Wilson's Plover {.iLgialitis xvilsonia). A few. 



Clapper Rail {Rallus crepitans). Numerous in marshes all along to 

 Cobb's Island. 



^\\\ei {Sympkeniia semipalinata). A few all along the island; 6 pairs 

 on the south end. 



Royal Tern [Sterna maxima). About 12 pairs had remained all sum- 

 mer at a point about two miles south of the north end of the island but 

 he had not seen any eggs or young. 



Gull-billed Tern [Gelochelidon nilotica). A few. 



Capt. Hitchens is well informed regarding birds, and his con- 

 versation impressed me strongly that he was thoroughly in ear- 

 nest and would do all he could to protect the breeding birds. 



Cobbs Island. 



Capt. Andrews estimated the numbers of birds breeding as 

 follows : 



Common Tern [Sterna iiirundo). — About 200. 



Gull-billed Tern [Geloclielidon nilotica). — About 1,000. 



Laughing Gull [Larus atricilla). — About 1,000. 



Black Skimmer [Ryncliops nigra). — About 4,000. 



Willet [Symphemia semipalmata). — Only 2 pairs. 



Wilson's Plover [Aigialitis xvilsonia). — Only 2 pairs. 



American Oyster-catcher [Hcematopus palliatus). — About 12 pairs. 



