FOREST VAN DeS REAM: 
[JULY 27, 1907. 


ROYAL TERNS BREEDING ON ONE OF THE AUDUBON -SOCIETY ISLANDS. 
The Old Guard. 
searches in vain for the landmark. It is gone 
and four feet of its roots with it. The gulf rolls 
clear across the island at that particular point 
in a stream a half mile wide and four feet deep. 
The waters then went a mile further up the 
beach and cut another channel across the island, 
so that now there are three Breton islands in- 
stead of one as formerly. 
Apparently the gulls and 
weathered the gale, but the pelicans suffered 
severely. Thousands of them perished, being 
dashed to the ground with broken wings. 
After all these catastrophies the present nest- 
ing season began auspiciously, but on May 30 
there came from somewhere without any storm 
accompaniment a phenomenal tide, burying all 
the islands, with the consequent loss of all the 
eggs which had already been laid, reaching into 
many thousands. The birds became disheartened 
and many left for other places on the gulf coast. 
The result is that only about 12,000 birds will be 
raised this year and nearly all of these on Battle- 
dor Island, our own property. The royal terns 
suffered most in the high water and our fetch 
off of that species will be very limited. On my 
recent annual cruise of inspection I noted no 
Caspian or Forster’s terns; only a few hundred 
royals, the remainder made up of laughing gulls 
and black skimmers 
_The National Association of Audubon So- 
cleties, of which William Dutcher, of New York, 
is president, authorized me to build an auxiliary 
cruiser for the use of Captain William Sprinkle, 
our chief warden, in watching the islands of 
Breton and Audubon Reservation. She is 4Aft. 
over all, 14ft. beam and draws 3o0in.; this latter 
feature being. necessary in order that the boat 
might run up close to the islands. A 20 horse- 
power gasolene engine js installed aboard and 
the outfit is extremely satisfactory in every re- 
spect. It reflects great credit on Mr. Dutcher 
for taking such good care of the warden on this 
particularly hazardous watch. 
Space at my command does not suffice to write 
about the monster sea turtles which lay 160 to 
200 eggs in nests on Breton Island; of the re- 
puted great treasurer buried on Battledor Island: 
of the cannibalistic habits of the laughing gulls; 
of the lonely watch of one of our wardens on 
Battledor Island riding out gales and keeping 
a close watch on the Filipino fishermen who fish 
in those waters and steal eggs: nor of the tales 
of storm with piles of dead seamen which have 
been found on some of our islands after a hur- 
ricane has visited these lonely wastes. 
Suffice it to say that we are doing all we know 
how to increase the stock of the wild sea birds 
living on these islands, as we recognize we are 
but custodians of a charge in which bird lovers 
all over this wide and great country are deeply 
interested. Frank M. Miter, ‘ 
President Audubon Society of Louisiana. 
terns living there 

Boston, Mass., July 20—Editor Forest and 
Stream: As an ancient subscriber to Forest 
AND STREAM I desire to answer the roll call as 
suggested in a recent issue. 
I have watched its growth from the modest 
little Rod and Gun up to the very beautifully 
illustrated and sumptuous present form.’ I com- 
menced as a subscriber to the original Rod and 
Gun and when Forest AND STREAM first started 
at once sent in my name as a subscriber, and 
from its first issue up to the present time have 
faithfully -read each number and always with 
keen interest and delight. Moreover, stored 
away in innumerable boxes and packages I have, 
as far as I know, complete files of both papers, 
which I hope some time to get together to read 
again some of the articles written by those who 
have passed over the great divide. 
While congratulating you upon the great im- 
provement in general get up, more shapely size, 
and wealth of illustration, I am glad to still see 
the old familiar heading which I should greatly 
miss if changed. As the years roll by one by 
one the familiar names of your correspondents 
disappear forever, and are seen no more in your 
columns. Their writings have brought to us, 
who are chained to business, the sounds and 
scenes of the forest, the ripple of the stream, 
the sunshine of the fields, the lives of nature’s 
children in the tales that they have told of the 
great outdoors. They have helped spread the 
love of nature, fresh air and sunshine, and will 
live long in the memories of your readers. 
In view of the fact that Forest AND STREAM 
has so strongly advocated stopping the sale of 
game, spring shooting and moderation in the 
numbers of fish and game taken, I am sorry 
to read part of an article by H. P. J. in a recent 
issue entitled, “Atlantic City Sports,” and I feel, 
Mr. Editor, that you should have labored with 
our erring brother, though I suppose, no doubt, 
spring shooting in New Jersey is perfectly legal. 
I quote a few sentences which really call one’s 
attention to the fact that spring shooting is in- 
dulged in there, and is one of the attractions of 
Atlantic City. The article in question is dated 
in May and says: “At present meadow snipe are 
very numerous here. In a morning shoot last 
week a friend and myself brought in a bag of 
seventy, yesterday over thirty, and a dozen ring 
necks. Robin snipe, yellowlees, gravbacks, 
plover and calico backs are plentiful, and good 
bags brought in every day.” 
Now if these good bags of shore birds were 
allowed to pass north tnmolested, would they 
not return in the fall with young in greatly in- 
creased numbers? 
In Massachusetts spring shooting has been 
stonned, I am glad to say. and really it seems 
as though the birds knew it. Last month, while 
on a short trip to my bungalow on the south 
shore, I repeatedly walked within a very short 
distance of large flocks of peeps, ringnecks and 
other shore birds and was greatly interested in 
watching them feed, preen their feathers, bathe 
and play; and they evidently had no fear and 
paid but little attention to me. Again I called 
yellowlegs very near to me when in the open and 
in plain sight, and I venture to say the same 
birds in the fall would be far more wary. It 
seemed as though they knew they were safe. 
It is very evident that sentiment is. fast chang- 
ing and an era of protection is in sight. As one 
grows older the desire to kill grows less. 
Thoughtlessness and the desire ‘to kill belong 
to the young. They are so full of life and the 
joy of living that they are apt.to give no heed 
to the pain and destruction inflicted. 
I have a theory that some species of birds are 
slowly undergoing a process of mental evolu- 
tion. From conversation with old shore gun- 
ners I am inclined to believe that the route of 
migration in certain species is being changed, 
owing to constant persecution, and the fisher- 
men report great flights of shore birds far out 
at sea. The present generation of ruffed grouse 
certainly show a wonderful degree of cunning 
as compared with years ago, and puzzle the best 
of dogs and old shooters. It seems to me that 
in some localities quail fly from their roosting 
places to feeding grounds instead of running as 
in former years, thereby leaving no scent, which 
may in part account for the dog’s frequent blun- 
dering on to a covey instead of trailing. Sports- 
men, no doubt, are full of theories, and as I 
peruse your columns I find it extremely interest- 
ing to read the many views expressed by your 
correspondents, showing keen observation of the 
habits of game and fish. With all our knowledge 
of animal life, how little we know of their men- 
tal powers and how difficult to draw the line be- 
tween reason and instinct. . 
I have often wished that many of the valuable 
articles published in Forst AND STREAM could be 
put into permanent book form. Surely many of 
the writings of those who have passed beyond 
shduld be preserved, that future generations may 
know of the grand sport with the rod and gun, 
now rapidly becoming a thing of the past. 
May your correspondents of the future possess 
the same kind hearts, love of nature and joy 
in the delights of Forest AND STREAM. 
CAZADOR. 
CENTRAL LAKE, MicuH., June 30.—Editor Forest 
and Stream: “Here.” Just how long I have been 
a contributor to Forrest AND STREAM I cannot 
say, but I think that I must be in the twenty- 
five year class. I first saw the paper in Boston, 
and I think in August, 1873, as I was starting 
on a Western trip. The West has changed since 
then. JI have boxes of old Forrest anp 
STREAMS, which I had thought to bind some- 
time, but now I know not what will become 
of them. 
I left Florida earlier than usual, and reached 
Central Lake in time for a last hand clasp with 
my only son, who soon passed over the Great 
Divide. When my eyes permit, I have some- 
thing to say to you about the passenger pigeon, 
which was new to me, and also to tell you how 
“Tarpon” (one of my Florida neighbors) killed 
a grizzly. 
I knew “Antler” well, and boarded with him 
for five months. I also met Judge Greene, of 
Portland, Ore.; and had a pleasant time with 
him before I went to California and’ built a 
house on Santa Catalina Island. I have a 
picture of Antler and his wife, by their fireside, 
which I shall send you if I ever see Florida again. 
One of your correspondents speaks of 
Crooked Lake, on the inland chain from 
Petoskey to Cheboygan. The name of this lake 
on the old French maps was “Le Lac a |’Arbre 
Croche,” or Crooked Tree Lake. This may be 
of interest. KELPIE. 

THE CAMPER’S FRIEND. 
Pure Milk is desirable wherever you camp. 
Borden’s Eagle Brand Condensed Milk always 
opens up perfectly fresh, pure and satisfactory. 
It is the first item thought of by the veteran 
camper.—A dv. 

















































































