State Reports 93 



November first would probably meet with little opposition, and would be 

 observed. Its enforcement would give security to the birds which return 

 in April or May to breed. Means must be taken to enforce the pro- 

 tection of the breeding-grounds, or the species must cease to breed on 

 our shores. 



Great Blue Herons are protected at Bradbury's Island and Great 

 Wass Island. At both of these places the young were on the wing late 

 in July; they were abundant at Deer Isle, where they feed about the 

 long, shallow coves at low tide. They were considered more numerous 

 this year than at any previous year. About Great Wass Island many 

 were also seen, indicating successful breeding. 



Black-crowned Night Herons have been protected at Falmouth and 

 at Little Duck Island; both of these colonies are quite large, and have 

 passed a successful breeding season. Three pairs of these birds bred this 

 year on No Mans Land, this being the first instance known. The 

 young which were successfully reared were leaving their nests July 21. 



Spotted Sandpipers breed, to some extent, on nearly every protected 

 island, and receive the attention of the wardens. They have bred well, 

 and have not been molested so far as known. 



The Secretary of the State Audubon Society reports ''progress in the 

 work of bird protection in Maine. The objects of the Audubon Society 

 are becoming better known, and meet the approval of the thoughtful 

 everywhere. The reports from the local secretaries are encouraging." 

 One writes: "The interest in bird -study is gratifying. The school 

 children take an active interest in birds, and are learning the lessons 

 taught by the society for their protection." Another writes: "The 

 teachers are delightfully enthusiastic over the Audubon work." 



One teacher who presides over a large school composed of younger 

 pupils has accomplished a great work among the children under her 

 care. Every morning she gives them a bird-talk of a few minutes, and 

 she has inspired them with a wonderful degree of enthusiasm. They 

 surprise even herself, by the closeness and accuracy of their personal 

 observation of bird -ways, and also by the amount of information which 

 they have acquired through such observation. They have taken under 

 their especial protection all the birds in their respective neighborhoods, 

 and woe is sure to betide any would-be plunderer who dares to disturb 

 the nests. One small pupil discovered some New Hampshire bojs climb- 

 ing to one of the Robins' nests near his home (South Berwick is a 

 border town), and endeavored to drive them away. Not succeeding in 

 this, the plucky little one went promptly for a policeman, who gave the 

 intruders convincing proof that it is not safe to violate our Maine laws 

 for the protection of birds. I am sure that those boys will raid no more 

 nests on this side of the state line. 



