114 Bird -Lore 



a few miles the beaches are cut by inlets from the ocean ; some of these are 

 narrow and choked with sand-bars, while others are wide and deep enough 

 to admit coasting vessels of some size. From the inlets radiate channels in 

 every direction through the marshes which he back of the sandy barrier 

 beaches. The beaches are not usually wide, never more than a few hun- 

 dred yards, but the green marshes extend for miles back to the uplands. 

 Both the beaches and marshes are used as breeding homes by birds. The 

 trip was made in a small gasolene launch' of light draught, but the channels 

 were so tortuous and at low water were so shallow that progress was 

 exceedingly slow, for hours were lost every day while waiting for flood -tides 

 in order to cross shallow bays and bars. 



During the six days spent in exploring this territory. Laughing Gulls 

 were never out of sight and the cackling note of the Clapper Rail was 

 a common sound. Th°se two species of birds were by far the most 

 common, and were breeding in large numbers. Young Laughing Gulls, seen 

 on July 4, were as strong on the wing as the parent birds; this shows that 

 the first laying of eggs had not been disturbed. Least Terns were seen in 

 considerable numbers fishing in the channels near Chincoteague Inlet. The 

 wardens, on acquaintance, proved exceptionally intelligent men, and all of 

 them expressed an earnest desire to give the best of care to the breeding 

 birds. The vast extent of the territory under the care of each warden 

 makes it physically impossible for him to do more than exert a moral in- 

 fluence and thus create a public sentiment among the baymen, and other 

 residents, in behalf of bird protection. It was found that egging was still 

 carried on to some extent, but it is believed that it is not nearly as preva- 

 lent as it was in former years. The provisions of the new law are generally 

 known, and it is thought they are respected by the citizens. The chairman 

 was very much encouraged by the outlook and considers the wardens' 

 salaries money well expended. 



Audubon matters in Virginia are not as flourishing as they should be. 

 The secretary, Mr. E. C. Hough, briefly reports as follows: 



"We have tried to interest people in our efforts to establish our state 

 society upon a firm basis, but have met with but little success. I have 

 written letters to the parties whose names you sent me, but none of them 

 have rendered any assistance. I have also sent copies of our Digest of the 

 Laws of Virginia relating to bird protection to a number of other parties. 

 We can count but few persons who have paid membership dues, and the 

 money received has not been sufficient to cover expenses of printing, etc. 

 We propose to continue to distribute warning notices and literature, and 

 hope that we can find friends of the movement who will become active 

 members of the state society." 



