320 Bird -Lore 



common on the coast of Maine. They are very local in their choice of haunts, 

 and, though they are undoubtedly holding their own, do not seem to be increas- 

 ing. Their habitat in Maine still embraces most of the outer islands from the 

 western entrance of Machias Bay to the west side of Muscongus Bay. They are 

 especially numerous about the Mt. Desert and Matinicus groups of islands. 



They appeared tamer than on former visits, flying very near boats or allow- 

 ing a close approach. On August i6, but one was seen on the Western Egg 

 Rock (Muscongus Bay), where formerly about a half dozen were accustomed 

 to breed. At all of their other stations about the usual numbers were observed. 

 This absence so late in the season may have been due to their having left the 

 breeding grounds. 



The one seen was certainly not shy, but came to its nest with a rock eel, 

 while we were still near the shore. She hurriedly carried the fish into the rock 

 pile for her young, and quickly emerged and flew away. All of my observations 

 on this species convinces me that at this season, at least, its food consists almost 

 entirely of rock eels {Gunnellus gunnellus). Thus, so far as food is concerned, 

 it is of neutral value. Yet its beauty, gracefulness and pathetic voice makes 

 it fill a peculiar place in the scenery of barren rugged coasts. Surely, to the increas- 

 ing throng who visit our shores for recreation and esthetic enjoyment, it is, 

 in the near future, to "awaken an interest they could not excite in a savage 

 breast." 



It was a matter of much satisfaction to find that the nest shown with the incu- 

 bating parent (The Auk, Vol. XXI, PI. XVII), contained, on August 6, this year, 

 two young ones nearly ready to leave. This nest was first observed in 1902, 

 since which time it has been occupied on each visit. 



Great Black-backed Gulls were resting in small numbers — a dozen or two 

 birds — at No-Man 's-Land, Wooden Ball and Metinic Green Islands. They 

 are not now known to breed on the coast, but are evidently becoming regular 

 summer residents, in increasing numbers, in the vicinity indicated, taking advan- 

 tage of the security afforded their near relatives. Their breeding is to be expected 

 under such suitable conditions. 



Herring Gull. — Eight colonies of this Gull were visited. They are located 

 at Old Man, Brothers, Pulpit Rock, Cone Island, Little and Big Duck Islands, 

 Heron Island and No-Man's-Land. The distance, in an air-line from Old Man, 

 the most eastern colony, to No-Man's-Land, the most western one, is one hundred 

 and twelve miles. The three western colonies are the largest, and contain many 

 more than half of the Maine Gulls. Each of these colonies commands an inden- 

 tation or bay of the adjacent coast, which, with its peculiar currents, large areas 

 of flats, bars, ledges and mussel beds, furnishes the greater part of the food of the 

 dependent colony. 



It is well known, of course, that these Gulls radiate in some numbers in all 

 directions up to thirty miles, and it has been conjectured that they range much 

 farther. 



