36 
rSEFTL IMRDS 
weed matter. Al)oiit two miles from the south shore of the lake 
lie three barren, rocky islands, wdiich are frecjiiented by the gulls 
in the breeding season. The larger of the three, called Stone 
Island, — or Spirit Island by the Indians, — containing about three- 
quarters of an acre and with its top about 20 feet above the sur- 
face of the water, affords on its rocky surface a nesting place for 
hundreds of gulls.” 
Stomachs of the Herring Gull are found to contain grasshop- 
])ers, hsh, mollnsks, and, in one instance, the remains of a marsh 
hare, ])robably consumed as carrion. Professor Anghey reported 
finding in the stomachs of each of four Black Terns from 47 to 84 
grassho])])ers or locusts, and in two stomachs examined, from 28 
to 59 other insects. 
THE WOOD DUCK. 
A bird like the woodcock and some others, rapidly growing 
more scarce in Minnesota and included here with the Golden 
Plover as re])resenting onr “vanishing birds.” Strikingly tropical- 
looking is the male bird. In the above excellent illustration imagine 
the sides of the face and soft crested crown, green with purplish 
redections, contrasting sharply with the white of the n])per throat, 
the breast a rich, pniqdish chestnut, finely spotted with white; sides 
yellowish, delicately penciled with black, with ends of dank 
feathers sharply barred with black and white. Back blackish or 
brownish, with green redections, and long wing feathers, bluish 
with green redections. 4'he eye (iris) bright red. A veritable 
