84 DuTCHER, Protection of Gulls and Terns. X^^"*^ 



not return until dawn. The nests were scattered along the banks 

 of small creeks in the high grass and were substantially built on 

 the 'crash.' The increase was probably seven or eight hundred 

 birds from the two colonies, as there were two broods raised, al- 

 though the first one was not large, owing to two very heavy storms 

 which occurred in the latter part of May, when many eggs were 

 washed away or destroyed. 



A colony of nine pairs of the Common Tern were found on 

 the upper end of Gull Island, in Great Sound, back of Seven 

 Mile Beach, and fourteen pairs on Peck's Beach, fifteen miles 

 north of Blue Fish meadows. He visited these colonies on 

 June 30 and found twenty-three eggs in the first locality, one ready 

 to hatch. The second colony was visited July 2 where forty-one 

 eggs were found, one nest containing five eggs. On July 16 both 

 colonies were visited again, and it was found that most of the eggs 

 had hatched ; eight young were found that were a day or two old. 



In conclusion, it is believed that we have accomplished wonders 

 with the Laughing Gulls, as fully one thousand young have been 

 raised, the first brood flying about June 30 and the second about 

 August 22, when young were still seen that could not fly. The 

 increase of terns was small, as the colonies did not exceed fifty 

 pairs of old birds. 



The two wardens have done excellent work in posting the warn- 

 ing cards in stores, boat landings, gunners' resorts and railway 

 stations. The posters have kept many persons away from the 

 breeding grounds. 



The bird laws of New Jersey are very unsatisfactory, protection 

 to gulls and terns being given only from May i to September i. 

 The Audubon Society of New Jersey could not do a better or more 

 important work than to have the American Ornithologists' Union 

 law enacted in their State. 



Connecticut. 



Mr. James Haynes Hill reports on the Terns of Connecticut, 

 Fishers Island, N. Y., and Long Island Sound, as follows, his 

 report being here given in full. 



