42 Reed, The Terns of Great Gull Island, N. 2'. \^f^^ 



and three shanties for the use of the Government engineers. A 

 line of railroad tracks was also run from the wharf to different 

 parts of the work, for distributing materials with the aid of a 

 small locomotive. A small electric light plant was also run, for 

 the accommodation of the night workmen. Piles of various kinds 

 of materials were also scattered about the island, such as stone, 

 sand, coal, lumber, etc. 



The whole plant took up over one-half of the area of the island, 

 leaving only a small portion of the two ends for the accommoda- 

 tion of the Terns, who were compelled to divide themselves into 

 two distinct colonies of about one thousand birds each. In these 

 crowded quarters they congregated and laid their eggs, some in 

 the grass, while others took to the bare patches of sand and tops 

 of the large boulders along the beach. No sooner had the work- 

 men discovered this than they began collecting them for eating 

 purposes, as fast as they were laid. This was principally done 

 by the negroes and Italians, who provided their own meals, and I 

 was told by them that in some instances as many as a dozen eggs 

 were eaten daily, by an individual. A great many were also col- 

 lected out of curiosity, which were blown and carried away as 

 keepsakes. On one occasion, a New York man visited the island, 

 and collected a large basketful, which he was permitted to take away 

 with him, with a promise not to return again. The crews of the 

 vessels which landed there also participated in this shameful work. 



This wholesale robbery was kept up the entire season, and not 

 a Tern's egg was permitted to hatch on the main land during the 

 whole period ; and but few, if any, escaped undisturbed among 

 those which nested on the boulders. I would say that it was 

 almost impossible for Capt. Henry P. Field, or any one else, to 

 do any protective work, under the circumstances, this season, 

 for most of the depredations were done about daybreak, before 

 the officials were up. Discouraged with such a reception, fully 

 one-half of the colony of Terns disappeared, probably to breed 

 elsewhere, but about eight hundred birds remained until late in 

 September when they disappeared after the line storm, which 

 occurs at this season. 



The Terns at all times seemed to be unsuspicious of harm, and 

 could often be seen sitting on the guy ropes of the derricks about 



