^"s()f] nwiGin, Summei Birds of Prince Edivard IdaiiiL ^ 



cvideiu'e I have is llie I'iict lliiit I saw a dozen or iiioic of the hiiils about a 

 clilVuear New Loiuh>ii on the north sliore of the island, and heafd the 

 vounj; 'sqiicnlinj;' in inaccefsxible crevices. This clifT, extending fxi 

 poiliaps half a mile, is prohahly tlie hij^hest on the island, and is almost 

 sheer to the water seventy or eighty feet below. No beach here intervenes 

 between its base and the waves which in times of storm beat so fiercclv 

 ajjainst it that it is justly dreaded hy mariners as one of the most langer- 

 ous spots on the north shore of the island. Its cnniiblin:; (ace, to tlie very 

 brink of which the ijreen fields above extend, affords led-ies and seams 

 where the 'Sea I'ij^eons' lind secure nesting places, and are said to be 

 "plenty." I devoted only one d.\v to exploring this locality and did not 

 see many birds. They were in small parties or pairs, lloating upon or 

 skimn.ing over the water, or quietly sitting upon some ledge, the white 

 wing-patch conspicuous aiiainst the red background of rock as \ iewed 

 from a boat. Their black bodies were comparatively inconspicuous owing 

 to shadows. At Tignish a boy told ine he had found a nest the previous 

 year in the low blulTs of the north shore, and I think they may breed in the 

 liigh cliffs southwest of North Cape, although I could not make thorough 

 search. I also saw a pair at Kast Point where again are high cliffs, sixty 

 feet or more In lieight. 



Larus argentatus smithsonianus. American IlRRRiNCi Gull. — A few 

 were seen from time to time, but I could find noevidence that they bred on 

 the island. Birds of such powerful flight might well wander in the course 

 of a day many miles from their breeding grounds. 



Sterna hirundo. Common Tekn. — It is probable that this species, 

 known as the 'Mackerel Gidl,' is the only Tern resident dm-ing the 

 summer nionlhs, and it is abundant at many points, particularly the sandy 

 reaches of tlie north shore. I visited a colony near Souris July 7, con- 

 sisting of perhaps seventy-five pairs. Several nests found contained three 

 eggs each, and were the usua' repressions in the plains of drifted sand, 

 protected possibly by a few blades of coarse beach-grass and in one case 

 by a few wisps of grass wound round the edge of the hollow. The birds 

 were reserved in their demeanor, but did not hesitate to expose themselves 

 (o the danger of firearms when their nests were examined. Their dainty 

 plumage and easy flight always seem out of keeping with their harsh 

 voices. It is pleasant to visit a colony of Terns and realize it has escaped 

 the pei>ecutioiis of the milliners, for perhaps no one genus of birds has 

 been more thoroughly exterminated in certain sections of our country 

 than has Steriiii, thanks to Dame Fashion's inexorable decrees. I was 

 told that this species made its appearance each spring with wonderful 

 regularity on the north shore — usually May 22 — and always between 

 May 21 and 24. 



Phalacrocorax ? Two birds were seen at New London, July 2, 



,)crchc-l on a cliff whi'e with their chalkings, but they could not be ap- 

 proac'.r-d. I was told that 'Shags' were often seen on this rock, but were 

 not thought to breed there. Whether carlo or dilopfiits it is impossible 

 for me to say. 



