Reports of Field Agents 409 



thrive in. The new sprouts have grown up so as to form sufi&cient cover; 

 there is a good coating of dry leaves on the ground; and probably there will be 

 a plentiful supply of food for the few birds that are left. Just now, if a first- 

 class man can be placed in charge of the reservation and can give his entire 

 time to the protection and propagation of the Heath Hen, and if any birds 

 survive the winter, the chances are that next summer will see a substantial 

 increase. 



Much time was spent during the summer in an examination of the Mass- 

 achusetts colonies of sea-birds. The colonies of Terns are doing well, with the 

 exception of those which are particularly exposed to the attacks of cats and 

 skunks. The Least Tern, apparently, is in danger of extirpation from New 

 England. The colony formerly established on Katama Beach, near Chappa- 

 quiddick, was fairly safe so long as it was protected by a deputy commissioner 

 of the Fish and Game Commission, who took a special interest in it, and so 

 long as the inlet through the beach remained open, but when the inlet closed, 

 the cats from Chappaquiddick made those colonies their hunting-ground. 

 Later, the warden, who had trapped the cats, left the service of the Com- 

 mission. Now this colony is practically extinct, or has moved farther up the 

 beach where there is still a small colony. 



A few years ago the Least Terns on Martha's Vineyard probably numbered 

 about 400 birds. All the colonies on the west end of the island this year seem 

 to be extinct, and probably there were less than fifty pairs of birds left on the 

 island at the end of the breeding-season. There are a few still remaining on 

 Cape Cod, but your agent was unable to visit their breeding-place this year. 

 The Fish and Game Commissioners propose now to place deputies on several 

 of the principal breeding-grounds of the Terns during the nesting-season, 

 that they may be protected, not only from summer visitors, but from their 

 natural enemies. Possibly, in this way the Least Tern may be saved. 



Late in the summer a visit was made to Mr. Job at Amston, Conn., for 

 consultation in regard to the details of his work. A report of the interesting 

 and useful work done at this station appears elsewhere. 



In closing this brief report your agent, as an unsalaried officer, cannot re- 

 frain from calling attention to the remarkable success of the Association in its 

 chosen field and the magnificent support it has received during the year just 

 passed in the midst of the excitement and distractions of the entrance of our 

 country into the world-war. This success is due in part to the recognized value 

 of the work in which the Association is engaged, but mainly to its excellent 

 management. The directing board of the Association is to be felicitated on 

 having chosen the right man as secretary and executive officer, and on having 

 given him wise counsel and consistent support. His absolute loyalty to the 

 cause and his abihty in management have never produced greater results than 

 in this year, which, because of the demands of the war, has been one of dis- 

 couragement to many worthy organizations. Under the most trying and de- 



