114 BULLETIN OF WISCONSIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. VOL. 4, NO. 4. 
The first of July, 1905, a collecting expedition for the Public 
Museum of Milwaukee, consisting of Messrs. Brues, Shrosbree 
and myself, going north along the Lake Michigan shore of the 
Door County peninsula, arrived at Gravel Island, where we found 
a large breeding colony of Herring Gulls and Caspian Terns. But 
little could be observed of the habits of either of these birds, as 
we had not come prepared for such work ; so after photographing 
nests and young and making such notes as were possible, we col- 
lected the specimens we required to produce a museum group that 
would do justice to the colony, and then continued our cruise to 
Washington Island and down the Green Bay shore of the penin- 
sula. At Washington and Plum Islands we were told of another 
large colony of gulls at Gull Island, Mich., and, coming down the 
Green Bay shore, we found small colonies of Herring Gulls 
breeding on the Strawberry group. 
At Sister Islands there were many gulls and terns, but none 
breeding, nor did we see any sign of terns nesting anywhere 
except at Gravel Island. The number of gulls was greatly in 
excess of what might be expected from the Strawberry colonies, 
and therefore we presumed that both species had come from the 
Gravel Island colony to feed. That these birds cover even greater 
distances in feeding was shown by the regular appearance or" gulls 
and terns off Jacksonport, about twenty-two miles to the south, 
where we had seen them during some days' residence, and between 
which place and Gravel Island, as we came up the coast, we had 
noticed them flying. Between Newport and Europe Bay we fre- 
quently noticed the predilection of the gulls to fly over the woods 
rather than over the water, as though seeking terrestrial food ; 
but I never saw them obtain any. Plarting writes : "We have 
repeatedly seen Herring Gulls following the plough and seizing 
worms and larvae from the newly turned soil. It is reported also 
that this bird feeds on grain." The same habits have been noted 
in this country. 
In July of this year, Mr. Shrosbree and myself returned to 
Newport, from whence as a base we intended to make a detailed 
study of the Gravel Island colony. A serious accident to my 
companion compelled his return to Milwaukee after the first day, 
leaving me without competent or reliable assistance, and the news 
of a great personal bereavement reaching me a few days later 
