48 Mackay, Terns of Muskeget Island. [^ 



It was on the evening of May 1, 1895, that the cries of the 

 first arrivals of this season's Terns were heard ; none were seen, 

 however, until the next day, when half a dozen were observed 

 high up in the air over Muskeget proper, the wind being east. 

 On May 3 they were arriving in fair numbers, some three hun- 

 dred (estimated) being seen; of these, some alighted on the shore 

 of a cove on the northeast side of Muskeget Island proper. The 

 weather was clear and calm, and there was a very heavy dew 

 during the night. On May 6 the wind was northeast and the 

 weather foggy; the Terns were now quite numerous. On May 7 

 it was calm in the morning, but breezed up in the afternoon with 

 fog. The Terns were continually augmenting in numbers and 

 were now abundant. 



As previously stated, the first eggs this season were noted on 

 May 28 ; on the 29th, 9 nests, each containing 1 egg, were dis- 

 covered. On June 6 were observed 18 nests, each containing 

 1 egg; 72 nests each with 2 eggs; and 4 nests with 3 eggs each; 

 but none with either 4 or 5 eggs. On June 8 was observed 16 nests 

 with 1 egg each; 80 nests with 2 eggs each; 26 nests each with 3 

 eggs ; and 2 nests each with 4 eggs ; no nest of 5 eggs was seen. 

 On June 9, Mr. Sandsbury walked in a direct line from his house to 

 the north shore of Muskeget Island proper, returning by another 

 line not covered by the first. He noted 263 eggs. On June 23 

 he repeated the walk, noting 457 eggs. On July 5 he again went 

 over the same ground and noted 34 live, and 27 dead chicks. 



I landed on Muskeget shortly before noon on July 7, and soon 

 commenced observations. I have followed my previous plan of 

 2:ivin£: the results of this visit in the following condensed form: — 



|ulv 8, '95. Muskeget Island proper. 



7. '95. South Point, Muskeget Island. 

 7, '95. South Point Island. 

 7, '95. Gravelly Island. 



Totals. 1447 -"49 -7- 88 



Mr. Sandsbury did not note the live chicks here. 



