116 BULLETIN OF WISCONSIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. VOL. 4, NO. 4. 
On the sandy portions grow a few clumps of sedges, while this 
year, near the center and surrounded by coarse gravel, was grow- 
ing about a square yard of turf. In 1905 there were a few drift 
logs, which were largely increased in number this season, indicat- 
ing that the waves of the winter storms probably run clear over 
the island. 
In 1905 the nests, eggs and young birds were in quan- 
tity, and although there were great numbers of gulls, the terns 
were considerably more numerous. 
The gulls' nests were mostly shallow saucer-shaped affairs of 
loosely matted sedges, cat tails, small sticks, bits of bark, blocks 
of wood, bedraggled cast feathers and other beach litter. The 
nests measured were fourteen inches or more in outside diameter 
and about seven and a half inches inside. Considerable difference 
was noticeable in their construction. Some were two or three 
inches thick, composed mostly of sedges well matted together, 
making a nest that could readily be picked up and carried in the 
hands. Others contained much less material, were of a less 
homogenous nature' and so loosely thrown together as to be re- 
movable only with great care. See Figs. 3 and 4, Plate 1. 
The eggs were two or three, with apparently about as many 
sets of one number as of the other. This was not because of 
incomplete laying, as in most instances incubation was well ad- 
vanced, or one or more of the young were out of the shell. There 
was much variation in the size and color of the eggs. Three eggs 
selected from an unselected dozen appear to represent the amount 
of variation usually seen, though probably not the extremes. They 
measure in millimeters as follows: 66^x48^, 69x51 and 
78x48^. Another egg taken July 1-3, 1905, unmarked, from its 
coloration I believe to be that of a gull (though its size agrees 
well with those of the Caspian Tern). It probably represents 
nearly or quite the minimum in size, measuring 62x41^2 mm. 
The variation in color of eggs is from Ridgeway's Isabella color 
to a greenish gray most nearly corresponding to his pea green. 
Eggs of both colors were taken^ from the same nest. Some are 
very evenly spotted, with nearly circular marks of bistre. In 
others the markings are irregular blotches, sometimes with a de- 
cided tendency to form vermiculate lines. The spots may be 
strongly massed about the larger end, or this portion may be less 
