THE WHITE-WINGED FLEET 



nest that had two very dark eggs, much the color 

 of Loons'. Not far from it was a set of three, 

 two of which, save for a few sparse spots, were 

 pale bluish green. Between thes ; types there are 

 almost endless variations. 



Not many miles from here is Matinicus Rock, 

 notable for its great colony of Arctic Terns. This 

 island has not the beauty that the spruces lend to 

 "No Man's Land." Its very aspect is of desola- 

 tion, and a reminder of the terrors of the forces 

 of Nature as displayed in wind and storm. Even 

 before we approach close enough to see the birds, 

 the keen ear can detect above the roar of the surf 

 that monotone into which the thousands of grating 

 Tern-cries unite at that distance. Then we can 

 see them in the air, and all over the old sea-beat 

 rocks, literally thousands of them. At the time of 

 my last visit, several years ago, I should say that 

 there were from three to five thousand Terns, and 

 the number is said to be increasing, now that the 

 keeper of the light has been made a game-warden, 

 and depredations upon them have largely ceased. 



The keepers are very hospitable toward well- 

 disposed people, and I have passed some very pleas- 

 ant days there with them, studying the habits of the 

 birds and looking at their eggs. It would hardly 

 be correct to speak of nests, for few of them make 

 what could by any charity be called such. Very 

 many of the Terns lay on the bare rock, preferring, 

 however, some Iktle nook where a small quantity of 

 soil or debris has found lodgement. Here and 



'39 



