Vol. XX 

 1903 



I DUTCHER, Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 121 



"It has been the custom here for n long time to get eggs from Bird 

 Kej. A short time after mj arrival here (in June last) I issued an order 

 forbidding this and published the poster of the Ornithologists' Union, and 

 birds have not been harassed since that time. 



"I will have the warning notices jou sent posted, and issue necessary 

 orders for the protection of the birds on these keys, and do whatever I 

 can to help the Ornithologists' Union in their work. 



"Bird Key is less than a mile from Fort Jefferson. Upon this key 

 gulls, terns, etc., breed in enormous numbers, also to some extent on 

 Loggerhead, about three miles distant. 



"There are in this vicinity, besides tiie above gulls and terns, pelicans, 

 hawks, doves, boatswain birds, and other sea birds." 



Pelican Island, in Indian River, which is the breeding home of 

 a large colony of Brown Pelicans, was cared for by a paid warden 

 during the present year. Mr. Paul Kroegel, who was in charge, 

 reports that the island was posted with warning notices, and that 

 he kept close watch over it. He also says that owing to reckless 

 slaughter in former years the birds are not nearly as plentiful as 

 formerly, but as the birds are not being disturbed this year they 

 have become very tame. On May 25 they had about finished lay- 

 ing eggs. On July 25 he wrote that "the young were all able to 

 fly. I believe this to be the most peaceful season the birds have 

 known. Living as I do directly opposite the island I can see 

 every boat that goes there. I have only had occasion to go there 

 four times in addition to my regular trips. It is impossible to tell 

 how many young were raised but I should judge about five hun- 

 dred or more." 



As it is important that this colony should always be protected, 

 it has been deemed advisable to get legal possession of it, and to 

 that end your Committee has had it surveyed and has taken all 

 the necessary steps to purchase the island from the State of Flor- 

 ida, the title still being in the name of the Commonwealth as 

 unsurveyed public lands. It is hoped that before the next breed- 

 ing season is reached the A. O. U. will have absolute control of 

 the island as owner in fee simple. In this connection it is fitting 

 to call attention to the very valuable aid rendered by Mrs. F. E. 

 B. Latham, of Grant, in securing protection for this colony of pel- 

 icans, and also for material help in other matters relating to bird 

 protection in her section of Florida. 



