THE OSPREY. 91 



first specimen liaving been killed l)y C. J. Maynard near Ipswich, Mass. Had 

 its life history been fully known when it was named it would of course have 

 been called the Sable Island sparrow, and such should bo its name now, for 

 not only is Sable Island the only breeding ground in the world, but an island 

 upon which no other land bird breeds. When an ornithologist has an oppor- 

 tunity of visiting a bird whose summer home is so little known, there is small 

 wonder that he should forget all about the reputation of the island as a desert 

 and think only of tlie rare troasuro, ornithologically speaking, which is to be 

 obtained there. 



So it may be imagined that I very gladly accepted the invitation to be one 

 of the party that was to reach Sal)le Island on May 16, and remain till the 

 23rd to make some experiments in planting the island with forest trees; and 

 looking back on our trip it must be said that not only were my expectations of 

 enjoyment more than realized, but even other members of the party who had 

 DO great expectations were very loath indeed to leave when the last day came. 



More than forty persons hive their constant residence there, and the men 

 are employed in the work of the life saving stations and the two lighthouses. 



As the inhabitants are all government employes, there is no commerce on 

 the island. All supplies have to be brought from the mainland, and most of 

 these are provided by the government which sends a vessel twice a year to 

 supply the needs of the inhabitants. Sometimes these visits are postponed, as 

 was the case in October, 1900, when it was found impossible to send supplies 

 at all; and the boat which should have reached the island at that time landed 

 its cargo, after two attempts, in the month of March. This delay caused a 

 waste of 100 barrels of cranberries, which had been picked for the market and 

 which are about the only agricultural export the island yields. 



It might be supposed that life on such a comparatively dreary island, with 

 but few opportunities of communication with the great world without, would 

 be found inexpressibly dreary and irksome and that the inhabitants would 

 seize with eagerness the first opportunity of leaving for life in what most 

 people would consider a more congenial place. But not only is this not the 

 case, but the reverse is true, namely, that when a man has once seen service on 

 the island and leaves, it is usually not more than a year or two until he applies 

 for a fresh berth on the lonely isle. A naturalist whose eyes and ears were 

 constantly open to the beauties and glories of nature might easily become 

 reconciled to such a life, but it is rather a surprise that people in the ordinary 

 walks of life should show the same leaning, yet such is the case. Possibly 

 the reason may be that the employes are engaged directly in the ennobling and 

 philanthropic work of guarding against danger, and alleviating human suffer- 

 ing, and that gives this life its charm. 



My first thoughts on Sable Island were not for the success of the forestry 



