30 
in one year. Since then Mr. Mackay, who was for years a 
member of the committee on bird protection of the American 
Ornithologists’ Union, has succeeded in securing protection 
for the birds breeding on this and other islands, as a result 
of which they have increased enormously. He says that they 
are now more abundant than at any time for many years. 
The least tern, or sea swallow, however, which was formerly 
abundant, hut was one of the chief victims of the milliners, 
has not, he says, shared in this increase, and is now compara- 
tively rare . 1 The herring gull probably once bred here, and 
still breeds on the Maine coast. This bird is as wary as a 
crow while here, and, if protected on its breeding grounds, it 
is likely to maintain its full numbers . 2 It is seen here now 
mainly in fall, winter and spring. Probably no sea birds 
other than the laughing gull and the terns above mentioned 
now breed in Massachusetts, although gannets, cormorants 
and other species are seen along the coasts in migration. 
Family Anatidce. — Ducks , Geese and Swans. 
This family contains a large number of beautiful and 
graceful birds, known generally as wild fowl or water fowl. 
They form collectively one of the most valuable natural 
assets of any country. Many species are unexcelled as food, 
and, if properly protected, they will continue an annual 
source of food or income to a considerable proportion of the 
rural population. Their presence on the waters or in their 
peculiar flight-formations adds a certain charm to any land- 
scape. Their sonorous cries and calls speak of the freedom 
of the wilderness. Were they extinct, how we should miss 
the call of the wild geese in the spring, and the sight of their 
wedge-shaped flocks sweeping across the sky! Yet we are 
strenuously endeavoring to extirpate them. The wild swans 
are gone; only a few wanderers have been recorded as shot 
in the State during the last quarter of the past century ; their 
occurrence here now may he regarded as merely accidental. 
1 The National Association of Audubon Societies, which is protecting the gulls and 
terns on their breeding grounds, is endeavoring to save the least tern from extermina- 
tion. The success of this attempt is in doubt, as only a few scores of these birds are 
now (1908) known to exist in New England. 
2 Since the above was written the Massachusetts law has been amended in 1905, so 
that all gulls are now protected at all times. (See page 114.) 
