I o^ 1 DuTCHER, Report of Coviinittee on Bird Protection. 127 



"I think that the birds have been practically unmolested at 

 both feeding resorts and breeding grounds. By the way, I had 

 furnished one of the fishermen at Pine Point, which is a favorite 

 gunning resort in the season, a good supply of the warning notices, 

 and some of these he tacked upon the door of his house, and I 

 think that the result was good. At any rate, the residents there 

 are quite familiar with the law and respect it, as far as I have 

 been able to observe." 



Mr, Norton, while inspecting the islands in Muscongus Bay, 

 discovered that terns had commenced to breed again on the Outer 

 Green Island and Junk of Pork. These islands formerly supported 

 colonies of terns but later were abandoned. It is evident that 

 protection and the enforcement of the bird law of Maine may 

 •result in the growth of the infant colonies on these two islands ; 

 he suggests that these islands be posted in 1903, in the hope that 

 the colonies may increase to their former abundance. 



Mr. Norton also visited Metinic Green Island, where he was 

 confident he would find a colony of terns. He reports as follows : 

 "I was not prepared for the sight which was before me. From 

 the time I departed from Burnt Island Life Saving Station, one or 

 more terns were always in sight. Upon arriving I found the 

 birds in practically an unmolested condition, and extremely tame. 

 I need not say that this magnificent colony of birds owes its 

 existence to-day to your vigorous and successful action against the 

 market for tern skins. I estimate the colony at upwards of two 

 thousand. Two pairs of Laughing Gulls rose at our arrival, and 

 search revealed two nests. That night thirty-two Laughing Gulls, 

 all adults, came to roost on the ledges just off the shore. Sea 

 pigeons were in some numbers, grouped in little bunches upon 

 the water or resting upon the rocks. Petrels were also breeding, 

 but in small numbers in comparison with other colonies in this 

 region. The Terns were the Common and Arctic, the latter being 

 far the most abundant. At this time few nests contained eggs ; 

 some young were just hatched, and from these every stage of 

 growth was before me. As I walked along the shore, the young, 

 which could fly short distances, went in all directions before me, 

 and the usual throng of screaming adults hovered above. 



" In every direction the adults were going out and coming in 



