^°|g^^^l Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 23 



and the West Side Natui-al History Society, all of New York City. 

 Capt. Field reported that the Terns arrived at the island May 

 II, about four days earlier than usual, that there were large num- 

 bers of them, and that it was pretty generally known by the 

 public that they were protected. 



This island, being the property of the General Government, and 

 Capt. Field having full charge of it, as well as being the State 

 Game Protector, his authority is recognized and respected. 



At the close of the season Capt. Field reported that the Terns left 

 the island September 27, — one day earlierthan in 1895. A great 

 many were hatched during the past season, as the colony was not 

 disturbed at all. It is a hard matter to estimate their numbers, 

 but they are very plentiful. I should think that there were about 

 7000 pairs in the colony. 



That the colony has grown very largely is evidenced from the 

 fact that an overflow colony of some hundreds of birds has estab- 

 lished itself on the north end of an adjacent island (Gardiners 

 Island). The keeper of Montauk Point Light informs me that 

 the Terns were more numerous about the point during the past 

 summer than for many years. It is proposed by your Com- 

 mittee to continue the protection of this colony until, if possible, 

 the south side of Long Island is again populated with these beau- 

 tiful birds, as it was before they were practically exterminated in 

 1886 by the demands of fashion. 



New Jersey. 



Mr. Stone, of the Committee, reports of the New Jersey coast : 

 " I have visited, or have reliable reports from, various points 

 from Point Pleasant to Cape May. I have no record whatever of 

 any Sterna antillanim. S. hiriindo continues in about the same 

 numbers as for several years past. There were about ten pairs 

 breeding between Atlantic City and Brigantine, all back on the 

 salt marshes, and they are reported more plentiful near Avalon. 

 Larus atricilla I found breeding on the marshes northwest of 

 Brigantine beach, the colony induding about 40 pairs. 



" Another colony is reported from near Sea Isle City. I am 

 sorry to state that fishermen were systematically robbing the nests 

 at Brigantine : the colony, however, is out of reach of the ordinary 



