34 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



surface of this rock has never, so far as records show, been the 

 breeding place of any other species. 



A year ago an indictment was brought against the cormorants 

 of this colony, accusing them of destroying the young fry of the 

 salmon in the many salmon streams of the mainland adjoining. 

 The indictment was followed by an order, subsequently suspended, 

 to destroy the cormorant colony. 



The investigations of ornithologists have failed to prove that the 

 Cormorant feeds specially on the young of the salmon. After 

 somewhat diligent inquiry of authoritative sources, I have failed 

 to find any ornithologist who would say that this accusation has 

 been proved, and I think I may take the liberty of saying that 

 the investigations of Mr Taverner are not confirmatory of the 

 indictment. 



Perce rock, for its unique beauty, for its extraordinary scientific 

 interest, and for its bird colony, presents strong claims for reserva- 

 tion. The fishermen along the coast do not regard these birds as 

 their enemies. They help themselves, now and again, it is true, 

 to the contents of the herring nets, but where herrings occur in 

 untold millions and the birds were created with a necessity for fish 

 food, the damage to human interests through these agencies is 

 certainly negligible and the birds are so intimate a part of the 

 human interests of the countryside, that I may express with con- 

 fidence the feeling of the fishermen as wholly in their favor. Yet, 

 this colony is exposed to constant attacks, for the young gull, a 

 favorite viand with the fishermen, when on the beaches still unable 

 to fly falls an easy victim to their attacks. 



Protection of the Bonaventure and Perce rock colonies. In pre- 

 senting the claims of these bird colonies to your consideration, it 

 seems proper that I should recommend also to your notice a prac- 

 ticable procedure concerning their guardianship. A single warden 

 is all that will be required for this purpose, and there lives on 

 Bonaventure island a descendant of the original owner of the island, 

 whose interest in these birds is very keen. He is daily back and 

 forth from the island to the mainland, is known to me to be faithful 

 and trustworthy and efficient, and he is by all means the best rnan 

 to act in the capacity of warden of these two nesting places during 

 the months of the presence of the birds, from April to October 

 inclusive. 



