Q2 "DuTcn^K, Protection of Gulls and Terns. Ljan 



days in August I noticed more terns about the mouth of the river 

 and the adjacent shores than I had seen for four years past. It 

 gave me much satisfaction, and I hope that they may soon again 

 locate on their old breeding grounds in this locality." 



Captain Geo. D. Pottle, Keeper of the Franklin Island Light- 

 house, protected the terns on three small islands near him, viz., 

 Eastern and Western Egg Rock and Shark Rock ; he estimates 

 that at the end of the season there was an increase of one thou- 

 sand pairs in the three colonies. He reports trouble with only 

 one party who was after birds and he was prevented from getting 

 any by the vigilance of Mr. Pottle. On ten occasions persons 

 were prevented from taking or destroying the eggs ; he states that 

 the people are about evenly divided in sentiment as to whether 

 the birds should be protected or not. Some persons believe that 

 all wild things are given to man to be used or abused as the 

 individual sees fit. The Committee finds this view largely obtains 

 along the whole coast, although the agitation during the past few 

 years regarding bird protection is gradually developing a change 

 of sentiment. 



About twenty miles south of Rockland lies a small rocky islet 

 known as Matinicus Rock. For ages past this has been an ideal 

 home for sea birds. The only other occupants of this rock are 

 the lighthouse keepers and their families. The writer of this 

 report visited this rock in July and found in Capt. James E. Hall 

 a warm friend of the birds. The whole island being a govern- 

 ment reservation, the head keeper of the light has authority to 

 prevent any persons from disturbing the birds breeding there. 

 From 500 to 700 pairs of terns were found, quite a large number 

 of Spotted Sandpipers {Actitis maailaria) , about 75 pairs of 

 Black Guillemots {Cepphus grylle), and two pairs of Puffins {^Fra- 

 tercula ardica). This island is a titanic mass of granite blocks, 

 the south side being very precipitous. Even during the most 

 quiet weather it is extremely difficult to land upon and thus will 

 always be a home for sea birds. At the date of the writer's 

 visit, July 19, nearly all of the young terns were out of the egg, 

 only two nests with eggs being found. The young birds were in 

 all stages from the downy chick to those able to fly a few feet, 

 the majority, however, being able to accompany the old birds in 



