386 Mackay, The Terus of Muskeget Island. Aue 
and eggs in the colony of Laughing Gulls (Zarus atricilla), which 
I considered the more desirable data for present record. l, 
however, walked all through the breeding area on two separate 
lines, in order to acquaint myself with the conditions. I suppose 
it is safe to say that there are many more Terns here this year 
than last, but it would be difficult to substantiate the statement by 
evidence. The fact is that the birds have now reached such 
numbers as to render even an approximate estimate useless. 
Great as the aggregate may be, there is yet ample room on 
Muskeget Island proper alone, for several times the present 
number, whatever it may be, to breed. 
Of the eggs viewed on the various islands this season I did not 
see one other than normal ones. 
The first arrivals of the Terns this season was on May 4. 
(They commenced to arrive on the night of May 9 at Penikese 
Island, Massachusetts, and by the 11th were apparently all there.) 
A dense fog prevailed at the time when they were first heard high 
up in the air. The fog lifting for a short time later in the 
morning, disclosed about a dozen birds. On May 8 Mr. 
Sandsbury noted fifty Wilson Terns, the weather still continuing 
foggy. On the oth it cleared and the Terns were seen in thousands 
over Muskeget Island proper. On April 27, 1896, Mr. Sandsbury 
observed four Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) for the first time 
this season; on the 30th he saw about adozen. On May 31, 1896, 
Mr. Sandsbury noted seven nests with one egg each; two nests 
with two eggs each; and one nest with three eggs. 
As this happened to be the first walk he took to look for eggs, 
it does not follow that they were the first of the season. On June 
g, with Mrs. Sandsbury, who assisted in the search, he walked in 
a direct line from his house towards the north shore of the island 
and returned by another route not covered by the first. The fol- 
lowing is the result noted. 
25 nests of 1 egg each, 25 
112 O23 ee 
205 6 3 6 6 615 
13 T3 4 «ce OG 52 
7 ce 5 (3 (3 35 
362 95 
