GARDINER'S ISLAND 



55 



ished the subjects for studies, to make which has been the 

 main object of my visits to Gardiner's Island. These were 

 conducted from my umbrella blind, without which it would 

 have been difficult to sain an insight into the home-life of the 

 birds. Both nests and blind were conspicuous objects on 

 the beach and, as in many other instances, I found it import- 

 ant to have a co-operator whose departure, after I had 

 entered the blind, apparently reassured the owners of the 



Adult Female Fish Hawk and Newly Hatched Young 



nest, within thirty feet of which the blind was usually 

 placed. To enter the blind alone is to invest it with your per- 

 sonality, and the bird will not return to its nest until the 

 impression created by your presence has become dimmed. 

 At the best the blind itself is regarded with much suspicion 

 and, although the bird may return to her nest before your 



