^°i8^7^^] UACV.XY, The Terns of M?iskeget Island. 389 



northern side of Muskeget proper and has gained this year a 

 little in length and width. In length it has now reached its 

 westernmost limit; any future increase in area, owing to the nature 

 of the ground, will probably be towards the eastward. Three 

 nests, one of three eggs, and two of two eggs each were found in 

 the marsh at the south side of Muskeget proper in July last. They 

 were placed on top of some of the sand hillocks. I found in all 

 thirty-two nests, containing seventy-nine eggs and one chick. 

 There were tio concealed or alley nests noticed this year, the 

 birds apparently not considering such precaution necessary. 

 They were also tamer than I have before observed them to be. 

 One nest, located on the top of the south ridge of the valley 

 where they were breeding, had three well-worn, distinct path- 

 ways leading to it. The nest and eggs were without any con- 

 cealment. It would seem quite conclusive that these Gulls never 

 alight on the nest, but a little distance away and walk to it. There 

 are more of these Gulls here this season than last ; the increase 

 is necessarily small, as the colony is not large. If undisturbed 

 they will continue to return and do well, but I do not think they will 

 submit to much harassing. A list of their nests and eggs is as 

 follows. Only one chick was noted, about two days out of the 

 shell. 



Muskeget Isla7id, June 27, 1896. 



4 nests of i egg each, 14 



9 "2 eggs " 18 



19 " 3 " " _57 



32 79 



On July 27, 1896, I went over all this ground a second time- 

 With the exception of half a dozen or so, all the eggs had been 

 hatched, as was evidenced by the many broken shells lying about. 

 I found but one chick in the grass, although I searched very 

 carefully, and I am puzzled to know where they hide themselves, 

 as I did not see a single young bird in the air, nor did I July 30 

 last year. The old birds were sitting all about, and concentrated 

 on their breeding area, often in groups. I did not note a single 

 dead chick'; I have in fact never seen a dead one. I, therefore 

 think, taking everything into consideration, that these Gulls have 



