Vol. XIV 
1897 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. OT 
ing a sound. On April 12, the nest held its first egg, and both 
birds were near by. A week later when I visited the cajion, 
neither of the Kites could be found, and the nest contained naught 
but a few fragments of shell. The destruction of the eggs was 
probably accomplished by a ground squirrel, after which the birds 
deserted the locality. 
REPORT OF THE A. O. U. COMMITTEE ON PROTEC- 
‘ TION OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
Your Committee feel that the work done for the protection of 
birds during the year 1896 has been amply rewarded, and that 
the results obtained in the various channels of labor have been 
commensurate with the efforts made. The brief outline of re- 
sults given below will, we think, be of interest to the members of 
the Union, and will also be an incentive to an increased activity 
on the part of the various bodies and individuals who are inter- 
ested in this most important and necessary work. 
MASSACHUSETTS. 
Mr. Geo. H. Mackay, of the Committee, reports as follows: 
‘“‘T have to report for the district coming under my jurisdiction 
that there is substantial evidence to prove that the enforcement of 
all protective laws has been a good and wise investment. Two 
visits to Muskeget Island during the summer gave evidence of 
the beneficial results of protection, for it is doubtful if in the 
history of the Massachusetts Terns they have ever been so abun- 
dant as during 1896. They have enjoyed a season of unmolested 
quiet ; no eggs have been taken, and only eight birds were shot. 
The results to be appreciated should be seen. I regret to be 
compelled to add that the unsettled conditions between the town 
of Nantucket and the owners of Muskeget, referred to in 1895, 
still exist, making the work of protection a peculiarly difficult 
one. The majority of the Selectmen of the town do not oppose 
