V 1909^ VI ] Bowdish, Ornithological Notes from Audubon Wardens. 123 



more thorough search of the shores. The per cent, of young hatched 

 was very high, as I found not more than 12 eggs unhatched. The 

 general exodus of the birds took place during the last week of 

 August, nearly all being gone by September 1. I estimate that 

 fully 75 eggs were destroyed by Crows. This loss occurred on only 

 one island, which being heavily wooded afforded a place of con- 

 cealment for the Crows from which they could steal upon the nests 

 while the old birds were away. I found one nest where all three 

 of the eggs had been broken and the contents not yet eaten. Others 

 I found with only two small holes through which the contents had 

 evidently been sucked. I was unable to find any evidence that 

 they destroyed any young birds. Including the eggs destroyed, 

 I estimate the number of eggs laid as 450, which was a very con- 

 siderable increase over last year. The four islands, containing 

 each about four acres, afford an admirable breeding ground, 

 which should, in time, become a very large colony. — B. G. Boone, 

 Four Brothers Islands, N. Y., Nov. 7, 1908. 



It is a pleasure for me to report that this has been a very good 

 year for the birds breeding on Old Man Island. The island 

 contains only about 7 acres, which is small for the number of birds 

 breeding there. — Fred E. Small, Bucks Harbor, Maine, April 31, 

 1908. 



Leach's Petrel. — The Mother Cary's Chickens' nests are in 

 evidence, but of course one can not tell what is within unless the 

 birds are disturbed. A number of years ago I saw a nest dug out, 

 and a very sleepy looking, small, hook-billed bird was found. — 

 Willis Snoiv, Metinic Island, Maine, 1907. 



I have previously made mention of the terrible slaughter of 

 petrels by minks upon Western Egg Rock. These minks have 

 caused the petrels to emigrate to Eastern Egg Rock, and the evi- 

 dence of the slaughter is quite apparent to any one who might visit 

 this place. The gulls have been forced to seek a home in other 

 localities. As soon as the law permits me I shall begin killing the 

 minks in the hope that they may be wholly exterminated before the 

 birds begin to breed again. — ■ E. E. Bailey, New Harbor, Maine, 

 August 29, 1908. 



Very many petrels have stopped around the island, but none have 

 nested this season. — Osmond Cummings, Cone Island, Maine, 1907. 



