344 



BIRD-LIFE IN WESTERN CANADA 



and fifty yards from the shore. But this narrow strip of wa- 

 ter is a sufficient protection against coyotes and, in addition 

 to the Geese, about a dozen Ducks, chiefly Gadwalls, a hun- 

 dred or more Common Terns and several hundred Eing-bill- 

 ed and California Gulls nested there. 



The Terns ' nests were scattered one was placed in an 

 old Goose nest but those of the Gulls were thickly massed 



Young Wild Geese 



at one end of the island ; the Ring-bills occupied the higher 

 ground, while the California Gulls were nearer the water 

 and built higher nests. The eggs of the latter species were 

 apparently the first to hatch, young being observed on June 

 14. These birds were far from shy and on being approached, 

 merely rose in the air where, facing the wind, they hung sus- 

 pended, all calling vociferously. So closely did their posi- 

 tion depend on the direction of the wind that one could walk 



