Reports of Special Agents 319 



REPORT OF ARTHUR H. NORTON ON COLONIES OF BIRDS IN MAINE 

 RECEIVING SPECIAL PROTECTION IN 1907 



The birds receiving special protection in Maine by wardens employed by 

 the National Association are Puffin, Black Guillemot, Leach's Petrel, Double- 

 crested Cormorant, Common and Arctic Terns, Herring, Great Black-backed 

 and Laughing Gulls, American Eider Duck, Spotted Sandpiper, Great Blue, 

 Black-crowned Night Herons and Fish Hawk, — a total of fourteen species. 

 With the exception of the Cormorant and Black-backed Gull, all breed in greater 

 or less numbers. By the timely effort of the Association, three species, the Puffin, 

 Laughing Gull and Eider Duck are being rescued from the very verge of extir- 

 pation in Maine. 



The colonies were last inspected during the period from July 12, to August 

 16, 1904, and the results given in summary in Bird-Lore (January-February, 

 1905, VH, pp. 90-93). 



The present inspection covers the period from July 24, to August 7, a much 

 shorter period. On August 9, a trip was made to Bluff Island in Saco Bay, and 

 August 16, one was made to Muscongus Bay, completing the work. The ground 

 covered extends from Eastport to Saco Bay, Maine, approximately two hundred 

 miles in an air-line. The number of islands and ledges on which I found colonies 

 of birds breeding this year is twenty-eight. This includes all of the important 

 ones now known on the coast. The significance of these facts will be considered 

 in treating of the Herring Gull. In order to reach all of the various islands in 

 the limited time at my command, it was necessary at each center to employ 

 a competent boatman with a motor craft; this brought me in direct contact 

 with lobster fishers, sailing-masters, scallop dredgers and general shore-fishermen. 



It may be here remarked that the invention of the motor-boat marks the 

 beginning of a new period in the history of the shore fisheries of all classes, an 

 industry which has had a potent influence on the history of our sea-birds. It 

 seems to me that this new period is one for the better, and it is to be believed 

 that the darkest days have been passed. 



It is also a fact that the birds used as food are now much less numerous than 

 they were a dozen years ago, and the generation of gunners among the fisher- 

 men are becoming superannuated. In those days it was usual for many to carry 

 a gun in their boats, but the practice seems to have ceased, and all are aware 

 that there 'is a fine' on the game birds. 



Puffin. — I saw no Puffins this year, though, on landing on Matinicus Rock, 

 I hastened to their resort. This was during the middle of a clear day when the 

 birds were away fishing, even the Black Guillemots, which are so numerous here, 

 being absent from the vicinity. I was told by Captain Hall's young son that 

 he had seen five Puffins at one time this summer, and other observers assured 

 me that they had seen one or more. The Puffin is one of the most picturesque 

 features of our bird-life and its preservation is much to be desired. 



Black Guillemot or Sea Pigeon. — These most attractive birds are still 



