34 Mackav, Te>-}if of Muskeiret hlaiid. \ f^n. 



Strip of sand known as South Point), and a little over a quarter 

 of a mile wide at its greatest width, narrowing to a few hundred 

 feet towards the western end. According to local testimony it 

 was formerly of greater extent. Its greatest elevation is appar- 

 ently not over a dozen feet above the surrounding water. Its 

 surface is wind riven and undulating. There are about a dozen 

 shanties on the main island, and a few on Adams Island, which are 

 used at infrequent intervals by shooting and fishing parties ; 

 otherwise it is uninhabited. In close proximity on the south is 

 Gravelly Island, and outside of all on the southwest is the South 

 Beach, which serves as a barrier to the ocean on this side. 



As it is of the Terns breeding on these smaller islands (Adams 

 Island excepted), and also on what is now called Muskeget Island 

 proper, that I propose to speak, I have deemed it advisable to 

 particularize them, as I shall later on have occasion to refer to 

 each island separately. 



The Terns which frequent and become domiciled in this locality 

 are Wilson's [Sterna hirimdo), the Roseate (Sterna douga///), Arctic 

 (Sterna paradis(ea), and a few Least [Sterna ant'illariwi). To see 

 them all here on their breeding grounds, the most extensive on this 

 coast, in such countless numbers that estimates of them are vain, 

 together with the thousands of their nests and eggs, cannot fail to 

 create in the mind of the ornithological student a profound and 

 most lasting impression. It is the first two of these species to 

 which I would particularly call attention. Since the earliest 

 recollection, they have been returning year after year to Muskeget 

 to breed, and it is here that I have especially observed them. 

 My attention the present year has been more than usually directed 

 to them from the fact that a vigorous effort had been made by a 

 number of the inhabitants of the adjacent islands, Nantucket and 

 Tuckernuck, especially the latter, to obtain a repeal of the present 

 law for their protection, in order to give these people the right to 

 take the eggs iox food purposes during the month of June (the 

 breeding period). Havuig taken an active part with some friends 

 in the birds' defense, the objectionable petition was not granted, 

 and the satisfaction I have taken the past summer in seeing the 

 results amply compensates me for the part I took in the matter; 

 for they have not been so numerous or in so fiourishing a condition, 

 nor their eggs so abundant for many years. 



