92 Bird - Lore 



It is doubtful if any Cormorants now breed in Maine; yet they continue 

 to remain throughout the summer in some numbers. 



I succeeded in getting ashore on Old Man Island, after making three 

 attempts; this was on August i, a rough, foggy day. I saw only one 

 Eider Duck, a female which started from the shore or close to it at the 

 northeast part of the island, and flew (entirely away, not returning while I 

 was there. Though I searched, I could find no nest or young. While the 

 number there last year was considerably more, observations at other points 

 makes it seem to me probable that only a small number were actually breed- 

 ing, perhaps only the four which Captain Small, the warden, has observed 

 to remain this year. 



The shooting about Old Man Island, last spring, no doubt had the 

 result of driving away all but the birds most strongly attached to the place. 

 With law and enforcement there seems a fair chance to save this colony. 



A single Female Eider was seen at Pulpit Rock, August 3, and on July 

 30, about Jordan's Delight Ledges, off Naraguagus Bay, sixteen or more 

 of both sexes were started from the water, all being strong of wing. They 

 were not seen here on our return. 



At Jericho Bay I failed to see any of the birds about their resorts, 

 though it may be hoped that some had bred and departed from Spirit Ledge. 

 With the extended extirpation of the little Terns at the old resorts of this 

 Duck further up the bay, it seems nearly certain that none could have 

 escaped nest -robbing there. 



An Eider Duck was seen for some time around Matinicus by Mr. 

 Merton Tolman this spring. While the outlook is not bright, another 

 effort should be made to protect these grounds, with the hope of saving this 

 noble bird to the breeding fauna of the United States. A law for the pro- 

 tection of this Duck must be required of the legislature at the coming 

 session. 



While a few of the birds spend the summer on this coast, thousands, and 

 perhaps tens of thousands, winter or migrate along the outer islands, reefs, 

 and ledges of Maine. They form an item of some importance in the 

 economy of a class who depend to a great extent upon the 'abundance of 

 the sea' for a livelihood. A pair of dressed Eiders, or Ducks and Drakes, 

 command about 50 cents, while five yield a pound of feathers. 



The migrants begin to arrive late in October, and depart the last of 

 April. As the birds inhabit the most exposed places at the most inhos- 

 pitable seasons, they are taken only by the hardier gunners, and, as they 

 are held in much esteem, all of these taken are put to use. 



With these conditions, it would be nearly impossible to prevent the 

 taking of all of the birds for even a short term of years, should such a 

 law be passed. 



A law prohibiting the taking of Eiders between March first and 



