260 Mack ay, Terns of Musheget and Penikese Islands. [^ 



fifty Terns, and for the first time he heard, in the afternoon Laugh- 

 ing Gulls (Larus atricilla), although he saw none. On May 9 

 the Wilson Terns were very numerous around Gravelly Island 

 shoals ; a very few Roseate Terns (Sterna douga/Ii) were 

 noticed among them. By May 18 new warning notices had been 

 prepared and posted on the various islands. 



On this date the Terns were observed carrying straws, etc., for 

 their nests. On May 25 the first eggs of the season were dis- 

 covered, — five nests containing one egg each. On May 27 Mr. 

 Sandsbury walked across Muskeget Island proper and back 

 again in nearly a straight line, and noted eight nests containing 

 one egg each, and two nests containing two eggs each. By June 

 8 the Terns were abundant. Mr. S. again walked across Mus- 

 keget Island proper, as before, and noted thirty-one nests contain- 

 ing one egg each; sixty-six nests with two eggs each, and ten 

 nests with three eggs each. On June 21 he walked across the 

 centre of Muskeget proper and noted nine nests with one egg 

 each, sixty-two nests with two eggs each, nineteen nests with 

 three eggs each, and thirteen nests with four eggs each. 



On June 24, Mr. S. searched for Laughing Gulls' nests and 

 discovered eight containing two eggs each, and three nests con- 

 taining three eggs each, these being the first noted this season 

 (1898). On this date he observed three Tern chicks, two of 

 which were just out of the shell and still wet, the other was in 

 the down. It was singular to find that the one colony of Laugh- 

 ing Gulls, breeding on Muskeget proper, should have selected 

 as a breeding place this season the abandoned site of the old 

 life-saving station, which is less than half a mile from the 

 present one. Here I found the old birds using all the old 

 posts as lookout stations, and the top of the flag-pole, the favor- 

 ite place of all, was constantly in demand, and frequently it was 

 struggled for by two or more birds. Near by were their nests, 

 eggs and chicks. In consequence of the care exercised the 

 birds have enjoyed an unmolested season and most favorable 

 breeding conditions, the results of which have surpassed my 

 highest expectations. 



The number of eggs observed, by actual count after a most 

 exhaustive examination of all the breeding islands in Muskeget 



