54 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



thought a few pairs still bred on the Fames, and that eggs had 

 been obtained there within the last five years. 



In the year 1880 several pairs arrived in May, and they would 

 probably have again established a colony had not many of them 

 been most unfortunately shot. For the next seven years they 

 were very scarce, but had evidently not quite deserted the 

 islands, as in most of the numerous articles in natural history 

 periodicals, describing visits to the islands during these years, the 

 writers state that they have either seen one or two specimens, or 

 have heard from the fishermen that a pair or two might always 

 be noticed during the nesting season. The favourite islands 

 seem to have been the Wideopens and the Knoxes. 



In 1888 an association was formed for the purpose of pro- 

 tecting the sea-birds and their eggs on the Fame Islands, and 

 during the breeding season watchers were placed on some of the 

 islands to prevent visitors from molesting the birds. Reports 

 were also issued showing the increase or decrease of the various 

 species, and so from this time it is comparatively easy to trace 

 the history of the Roseate Terns. In spite, however, of the 

 efficient protection, these birds, unlike the other sea-fowl, did 

 not increase in numbers. In nearly every report of the Society 

 for the next ten years it is stated that two pairs only were seen 

 on the islands, and surprise was expressed that their numbers 

 did not increase. In 1898 it was hoped that this happy result 

 might be attained, for five or six pairs of birds appeared in the 

 spring of that year. In the next year, however, only two pairs 

 were reported, and in 1900 it was thought that only one pair in- 

 habited the islands. 



When the large increase of the Eider Duck and Sandwich 

 Tern upon the islands during late years is considered, it is some- 

 what disappointing to find that the Roseate Tern is only just 

 able to hold its own. The latter, however, does not appear to 

 be a very sociable species, and is liable to be persecuted by its 

 larger congeners ;* and among the thousands of sea-fowl which 

 haunt the Fames there can scarcely be many quiet spots where 

 the Roseate Terns could establish a colony without coming into 

 contact with other birds. 



* I state this on the authority of a remark in Mr. Howard Saunders's 

 ' Manual of British Birds,' edit. ii. p. 645. For an opposite opinion, how- 

 ever, of the habits of this species, cf. ' The Zoologist,' 1899, p. 83. — F. L. B. 



