66 Report of Committee on Bud Protection. \jvci. 



" The colony of Terns on Penikese Island have enjoyed a 

 season of unmolested quiet. The old signs were repaired, and 

 repapered with new warning notices in Portuguese and English. 

 Arrangements were made early in the spring with Captain Proctor 

 of the Buzzards Bay police boat to continue his surveillance of 

 the island. The Terns arrived in larger numbers this season 

 than for years, which fact is affirmed by fishermen and the 

 inhabitants of Cuttyhunk Island. Mr. Frederick A. Homer wrote 

 me recently that the number of eggs this season is the largest in 

 his experience. He also added : ' In conclusion, I will say I 

 think you would be abundantly satisfied with the Penikese colony 

 of Terns, for in my estimation there has been a decidedly larger 

 number of old birds than for years, as well as a larger number of 

 young, and they seem to have increased in the past few years 

 very materially. At any rate you may rest assured they have 

 been well cared for and protected so far as we were able to do 

 so, and if any good results are obtained we shall be pleased.' 

 You also will be pleased to know, I am sure, that I attribute the 

 present high s.tatus of the Terns on Penikese Island to the sup- 

 port I have received from the Messrs. Homer Brothers, owners 

 of the island." 



Mr. E. H. Forbush, Ornithologist of the Massachusetts Board 

 of Agriculture and a member of the Committee, sends a most 

 interesting report covering the whole subject of bird protection in 

 his State and we regret that lack of space prevents its presenta- 

 tion in full. Of the work of the Audubon Society he says: " Its 

 work in distributing literature, in interesting teachers, and thereby 

 providing for the inculcation of its principles among the schools, 

 cannot be too highly recognized. This kind of work is bound to 

 bring forth good fruit, 'for what is learned in youth is remem- 

 bered in old age.' " 



As regards Mr. Mackay's report on the Terns he says : " I 

 cannot let this opportunity pass without expressing the highest 

 admiration for the practical work that he has done. It has, 1 

 believe, resulted in the increase of the number of Terns all along 

 the Massachusetts coast." 



In regard to enforcing the bird laws of the State, Mr. Forbush 

 reports that there are at present So fish and game wardens, some 



