46 TWO ATLANTIC COAST ISLANDS 



ed Grosbeaks and Veerys, where all the conditions are ap- 

 parently favorable, is so marked as to call for an explana- 

 tion, but I am unable to suggest one. 



In June, 1908, Mr. Winthrop Gardiner showed me a pair 

 of Bartramian Sandpipers or 4 ' Upland Plover, ' ' which were 

 evidently nesting on the plains, and his father, Mr. John 

 Lyon Gardiner, tells me that this species was once abundant 

 there. 



The well-named Piping Plover is still a common bird on 

 the beach at both the northern and southern ends of the is- 

 land, where possibly fifteen or twenty pairs of these little 

 sand-colored birds nest. Here, also, are two colonies con- 

 taining several hundred of the Common Terns which were 

 once so numerous on the south shore of Long Island. On 

 July 5, 1901, 1 saw seven Eoseate Terns in the south end 

 colony. At this time, young Terns, several days old, were 

 running about, apparently, wherever they pleased, attended 

 by their parents. Several were seen to enter an inflowing 

 creek, drink repeatedly of the salt-water and swim actively, 

 in evident enjoyment of their natatorial powers, while the 

 parents, who rarely alight on the water, watched them from 

 the shore. Possibly here was an explanation of the value to 

 Terns of webbed toes. Functionless in the adult, they are 

 of service to the young before the power of flight is ac- 

 quired. 



Herring Gulls, chiefly in immature, gray plumage, ap- 

 pear to remain on the island throughout the summer, and 

 flocks of fifty or more have been observed on each of my 

 visits at that season. 



At both ends of the island there are extensive salt 

 marshes with numerous ponds. Here, Sharp-tailed and 

 Seaside Finches are abundant, while to the ponds, the Black 

 Ducks, about forty pairs of which are said to nest on the is 

 land, resort with their broods. 



But the birds for which, among naturalists at least, Gar 

 diner's Island is famous, are the Fish Hawks, or Ospreys. 



