ALL CORRESPONDENCE 
SHOULD BE ADDRESSED 
TO THE SECRETARY 
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
Taunton 
, Maee. 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES 
BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 
NATIONAL 200L0GICAL PARK 
ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY 
INTERNATIONAL CATALOGUE OF 
SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE 
February 15>1913* 
William Brewster Esq., 
1^5 Brattle St., 
Cambridge, Mass. 
Pear Mr.Brewster: 
I duly received your favor of the 5‘th inst. , and thank you 
for all your trouble and interest in looking up the additional inform¬ 
ation about the history of the terns of tJafi Muskeget Island and their 
protection, which is very interesting. I think you v/ill find, if you 
look up your papers published in the B.N.O.C,, tliat the rapid dis¬ 
appearance of the terns began in the early seventies, at least before 
1874. 
After listening to your remarks the other night, I decided 
to say nothing about the personal responsibility of any one for tJae 
protection afforded these terns, and to cut out whet I had to say 
about our being indebted to Mr.Mackay for this. I am, merely stating 
now, that Mr.Mackay kept a close watch over the terns during their 
most critical period, and that the keeper of the Life Saving Station 
has guarded them ever since. This seems to be the best way to avoid a 
long and unsatisfactory account, for which I may not be able to get 
the nece.ssary facts, to make it complete and to give due credit to 
everybodjr that is entitled to it. 
Thanking you for your interest in the subject, I am 
Sincerely yours, 
