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Island Bird Life 
By We lebyon 
Picture in your mind the birds that nested on the islands of Lake 
Michigan and Green Bay about one hundred years ago and you will have 
a bird lover’s paradise; then think of the change civilization has brought to 
the birds. Out of fifty-three islands in the Green Bay district today, only 
ten have colonies of any size and ten others have a small population. 
Hat and Sisters Islands are the first real colonies in Green Bay, 
with 200 to 500 nests of Herring Gulls, and just south of Death’s Door 
in Lake Michigan you will find Gravel and Spider Islands with more 
Herring Gulls, and a dozen nests of the Big Blue Herons, the latter being 
found in the trees of the larger of the Spiders. Hog Island is located 
just east of Washington Island and farther north are the Gull Islands 
with a wonderful colony of Caspian Terns on Gravelly Island. The 
southeast point has a space not over half an acre in extent that is 
all gravel, and as far back as we can find any bird records, the Caspian 
Terns have held that spot against all invaders. ‘Vhe island contains about 
five acres and the Herring Gulls control all not held by the terns. There 
are usually a few Red-breasted Mergansers nesting under the wild cur- 
rant and nettles which cover the higher portion, and also a few Red- 
winged Blackbirds and Song Sparrows, but these young birds must have 
a very small chance to mature as the Herring Gulls will eat them if there 
is the slightest chance. Whenever a young Caspian strays across “‘no 
man’s land,” he is immediately killed and eaten, and, in fact, many young 
culls are treated in the same way by their own kin. As we-approached this 
island, the Herring Gulls met us with cries of protest; then, as we came 
close, there was a louder, harsher cry of “back of the hill, back of the hill” 
trom the Caspians, and they never ceased to shriek and charge at us as 
long as we were about. ‘hey dive head foremost, and as one is about 
to dodge, they shoot up over his head and out of reach, but they make 
the charge so in earnest that one is never quite sure of safety. “he gulls 
become more quiet after a while, but never the Caspians, and as long as 
invaders are on their territory, they will keep up their attack. 
Big Gull Island is only half a mile away and is well covered with 
good sized trees; there are usually about fifty nests along the shores. 
Little Gull, a short distance away, has a low rocky point to the east with 
a small space covered with bushes which is always a favorite nesting place 
for a couple hundred gulls, while nearly all the wooded islands have a 
few nests of Great Blue Herons. 
