328 



Bird- Lore 



]\Ir. George H. INIackay, whose name is so intimately connected with 

 the Terns of ^luskeget, was not able to visit the islands the past season, but 

 he quotes a letter from Capt. R. C. Gibbs. of the Life Saving Station: "The 

 Terns had a good breeding season, and I don't think I saw as many dead 

 ones as in some seasons past." Mr. IMackay also sent a very interesting 

 report from Mi. F. A. Homer regarding the Terns of Penikese: "On the 

 morning of May 5, in a thick fog, with a chilly wind from the southeast, 

 the Terns of Penikese arrived at the island and immediately took possession 

 of the prominent points. On May 21, the first egg was observed; on June 

 16, young were first seen, and, on July 10, the young were just able to fly. 

 On August 2, small flocks assembled and commenced to leave, and by 

 September 10 the island was deserted. 



"I\Iv observation of these birds extends back over twenty years, audit 

 seems to me I have never seen such large numbers of them as this season. 

 I have also observed that they nested nearer the buildings than ever before, 

 that their nests were better made, and that they laid their eggs and hatched 

 out earlier than in previous seasons. The mortality among the young has 

 been less than usual, and there were very many less crippled ones. This 

 may be accounted for by the fact that we had but twenty sheep on the 

 island." 



Mr. Homer writes that the IMassachusetts State Board of Charity con- 

 demned the island, by right of eminent domain, for a leper colony, and adds: 

 "In taking leave of these harmless birds, I would suggest that you enlist 

 the sympathy of the resident physician, and I have no doubt he will do for 

 them what I have always tried to do." 



Miss Kimball, secretary of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, makes 

 the following excellent report: "This year has been a successful one, with 

 a membership of 6,303. We have 119 local secretaries, some of whom are 

 school teachers or members of school committees, and interest in our work 

 seems to be growing in the schools. 



"Many circulars, including educational and BiRD-LoRE leaflets, cloth 

 warning notices, and copies of the laws, have been distributed freely. The 

 few complaints of violations of law received, were reported to our efficient 

 Fish and Game Commission, the state officers, and were promptly in- 

 vestigated. 



"Legislation at the State House was closely watched by our protection 

 committee, and through our local secretaries the successful passage of a bill 

 was helped, which made possible a report of work in the interest of birds, 

 done by the state ornithologist. 



"Three traveling lectures and four libraries have been in good demand. 

 Also, our bird charts, calendars, and sets of bird plates, a new edition of 

 one of the charts being found necessary. The new calendar for 1906 has 

 been printed in Japan, in a very beautiful and artistic manner. 



