THE NIDIOLOGIST 



65 



NESTS OF THE PARULA WARBLER 



A Visit to Gull Island 



IT may be interesting to some of the read- 

 ers of The Nidiologist to learn that 

 collectors are no longer allowed to visit 

 Gull Island, N. Y. During the past 

 season it was my good luck to be able to 

 take a trip with W. W. Worthington to 

 the above named island on the 28th of June. 



Here the Common Tern breeds by the 

 thousands, and their eggs can be found 

 everywhere on the island. Scarcely any 

 attempt is made at nest building, the eggs 

 generally being deposited on the sand or 

 small stones; sometimes a few reeds are 

 gathered together, but it is a rude affair at 

 the most for such a beautiful bird and 

 nothing to be proud of 



We could have collected a bushel basket 

 full in a very short time but a few sets 

 were sufficient. Mr. Worthington and my- 

 self found two sets of five eggs each, some- 

 thing rare, for although Mr. Worthington 



has seen many hundreds of sets he never be- 

 fore found or heard of over four being 

 taken in one set, and sets of four are very 

 rare, two or three being the usual comple- 

 ment. 



They show a large variation in color and 

 markings. In a series of fifteen sets in 

 my cabinet there are no two sets which 

 really resemble each other, and some show 

 a big difference in size, color and markings. 



We had our eggs nicely stored away in 

 the boat and were about to pick up our 

 birds which we had just shot, when the 

 lighthouse keeper came over and asked 

 the object of our intrusion. When told we 

 were collecting for scientific purposes he 

 politely informed us that the Government 

 had given him the right to protect the 

 birds and showed documents to that effect. 



As we had finished our visit we readily 

 consented to leave. 



M. C. Howe. 



Monson, Mass. 



