326 Bird -Lore 



"Less than the usual number of Gulls arrived here this year, but the 

 nesting season was very favorable, and, in consequence, a larger average of 

 young were raised. Should say So per cent of the young birds reached the 

 flying state. Probably 300 large white Gulls, and 200 of the small, black- 

 headed Gulls (Terns) nested here this season. 



"Do not think the Gulls were seriously molested, and know of none be- 

 ing shot. However, there are occasional cases of nest -robbing on the part 

 of visiting sportsmen, to procure specimens of eggs to take home, and I have 

 had occasion to call special attention to the law and the notices of warning, 

 in order to convince several parties that they would be prosecuted if they 

 persisted in such acts. 



"As to our song-birds and the Partridge (RufJed Grouse), their nesting 

 season was unusually favorable, owing to the absence of rains throughout 

 June and most of July, for cold rains at such times are fatal to very 

 young birds. Minks and weasels are the greatest enemies these birds have 

 here, but, owing to the high price of furs recently, these deadly animals have 

 been very materially reduced in numbers by the numerous trappers of this 

 region. There has been absolutely no plume hunting, to my knowledge, 

 and all kinds of birds are numerous this year. 



"One interesting case of a nesting Partridge came under my personal ob- 

 servation. The bird built her nest early in the season beside a woods road 

 much frequented in June by summer visitors to Mt. Kineo. When she was 

 about half through sitting, two families of cottagers came to live within a 

 few rods of her nest, and each family brought a dog with them. Neverthe- 

 less, in spite of the dogs and the noise, and the frequenting of teams and 

 hotel guests, the Partridge stuck to her nest and raised thirteen young, 

 hatched out every one of her eggs, and got away safely with her brood, for 

 my wife saw her depart to the big woods and safety, with her family trailing 

 behind her. 



"Better protection to bird -life hereabouts would result if additional warn- 

 ing notices could be posted on the actual breeding grounds along the routes 

 of the great army of campers who come to the Maine woods yearly. At 

 every important camping place warning notices should be posted: also, upon 

 the shores and islands of the big lakes in the deep woods along the northern 

 borders. While sportsmen are generally inclined to respect bird -life, there 

 are quite a number of instances where thoughtlessness leads them to shoot 

 at our song-birds merely as targets. Warning notices displayed on their 

 camping sites would undoubtedly prevent such practices almost entirely." 



Our director, Mr. Norton, who takes great interest in, and a careful 

 oversight of bird -protection matters in IVIaine, writes: "I have visited only 

 two colonies this year, — Falmouth Night Herons, and No-Man's-Land and 

 Matinicus Rock. The Night Herons did about as usual, and no disturbance 

 came, to my knowledge. No-Man"s-Land is in excellent condition. It is a 



