12 1"he Wilsox Bulletin — Xo. 9 t 



vations made by the writer during his brief opportunity to sur- 

 vey the islands in 1915, that marked changes have occurred in 

 this particular colony, which may be worthy of notation. A 

 large colony, as accessible to scientists as that on the Wee- 

 pecket islands, should be carefully watched and all possible 

 data accumulated which will lead to a fuller understanding 

 of the natural history of the species. The writer wishes to 

 express his sincere appreciation to the staiT of the Marine 

 Biological Laboratory, which made his visit to the islands 

 possible, and especially to Mr. George Gray, who arranged 

 for his transportation to and from the islands. 



The Weepeckets, as a group, comprise three islands — two 

 very small, being probably less than half a mile in circumfer- 

 ence at hig'h tide — and a larger one, approximately a mile in 

 extent. All three are treeless, margined by a wide, gently 

 sloping sand beach, the monotony of which is broken by areas 

 of boulders, and covered by a knee-high growth of vegetation, 

 of which poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron L.) forms no small 

 per centage. High-water mark is clearly indicated by a nearly 

 continuous line of sea weed, interspersed with occasional old 

 skate (Raja crinacea) egg-cases. The beach is practically 

 devoid of life, — as would be expected in the case of an ex- 

 posed flat of this character, — with an occasional razor clam 

 (Eusis di rectus) stranded in some tide pool behind the boul- 

 ders, the inevitable "sand-flea"' (Orchestia agilis), the Acorn 

 shell barnacle (Balanus balaiius), and the commonest of the 

 marine molluscs (Littorina littoria). 



As I neared the island (the time being- limited, I confined 

 myself to the larger island, with only a very hasty look at 

 the smaller two), there was considerable doubt in my mind 

 as to what would be found there, as very few birds were in 

 evidence. Some two dozen terns sailed leisurely overhead, 

 and paid little or no attention to the approaching boat. It 

 seemed hardly possible that as early as June 28 nesting should 

 be over, as the spring had been very cool and backward, and 

 it seemed hard to ])elieve that so ideal a breeding site would 

 be abandoned without good cause. However, with the first 



