The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-09
BIRD COLONIES THRIVING.
AUDUBON SOCIETY'S CENSUS
SHOWS INCREASES.


National Audubon Association, complies
1t. This year the census shows that the
population OF the protected bird cities
scattered over the United States Is on the
Increase.
The first baby tern seen in nearly twenty
years on Great South bay was found this
summer by Mr.. Dutcher-a little fellow
Just trying to fly, near Great Island. This
shows that the tern a begun to breed
there again after almost twenty years
of absence.
They bred there by thousands, up to
1888, when a merciless slaughter OF them
began, caused by the demand for their
plumage for millinery purposes. MIR.
butcher thinks that with rigid proteotion
Great South Bay may be again populated
with these beautiful and graceful birds.
Early in September they were plentiful
at Fire Island inlet, and an unusual num-
Der we're seen in New York harbor. show
ing the results of protection in the breed
ing cities further north.
The society this year obtained a perpetual
lease from the State Of Maine OF a rocky
island which contains the only colony
Of American elder duck Known to exist
In the United States. Forty-fve little
new elder ducks came to town there last
summer, along with many little herring
gulls, all under the protection OF a warden.
There are thirteen wardens in Maine, and
10000 young herring gulls, Arctic and oom-
mon terms and black guillemots were raised
here last summer, protected 30 carefully
that they were almost tame.
At the Weepecket Island colony, of the
Massachusetts, coast, 1900 common and
roseate terms spent a happy infancy. The
tern colonies on Penikeee and Muskeget
islands ~prospered and the tern city on
GARDENERS Island had 1000 inhabitants
in June.
Three wardens, two appointed by the
association and one by Mr.. Hatch Of New
York, guarded Four Brothers Island in
Lake Champlain, and the colony OF herring
gulls increased from seventy-four to l07
nests.
Just one colony of laughing gulls is left
in New Jersey, and two wardens were en-
ployed to guard it like gold. Storms de-
stroyed all the first laying, but 1880 young
birds we're added to the population. Not
withstanding the efforts of the association
to give protection the tern seem to have
definitely abandoned the Jersey coast as a
breeding place. No tern colony now exists
in the State.
In Virginia seven wardens guard a terri
tory including many scores of square miles
beach, salt marsh and interlacing tide
creeks. There the laughing gulls, common
Forster's terms and black skimmers are
increasing, and the oyster catchers, millet,
plover, gull billed and royal tern
are holding their own. Som species were
exterminated in the millinery raid and will
never be seen again. Others we're nearly
Two little colonies Of least tern still exist
containing not more han 100 pairs. The
only other colonies on the Atlantic coas
are one in Massachusetts, and one in North
Carolina. This tern suffered more from the
slaughter induced by dealers in feathers
than any other, and IL is doubtful il these
colonies can preserve the species.
Florida, according to the association
Is in a bad way. 1t is not possible adequately
10 protect the mainland, and plume hunting
yoes on apace. illicit traffic in plumes, I"
says Mr.. butcher, still continues with New
York dealers who are willing to engage in an
lnderhand and d~isgraceful business which
q ION a par with smuggling and receivingstolen
goods. The laws OF New York should be a
nended so as TO reach and punish men who
to the breaking Of laws in other States
by furnishing a market for unlawful goods.
Florida has no method OF game law enforce-
nent worthy of the name. There is an
to make a vast game and bird
preserve of the State, which would annually
attract thousands OF sportsmen who would
cave millions of dollars behind them"
The release OF the slayer OF Bird Warden
Guy Bradley has made it difficult to get
wardens. The association has bought
Bradley's widow a 81 400 house in Key West,
placed $500 to her credit in the bank and is
now engaged in raising an endowment
efficient to educate her two children.
Texas and Louisiana have accomplished
great things in the way Of bird protection.
Louisiana expects TO show in a few years
most wonderful spectacle OF bird life
the civilized world.
The State Audubon Society has acuuired
eighteen islands in the Gulf of Mexico. |
called the Audubon Reservation. Adjacent
il the Federal reservation OF seven islands. |
The national association pays two war
1ens. and last summer these islands already
displayed a noteworthy sight at the breed
ing season.
Thousands upon thousands Of guIls and
terms were bred there. The indiscriminate
of birds which prevailed all over
Louisiana, as IN Florida, has been abso-
stopped, and louisiana promises TO
n of the greatest bird States in
the Union.
The export of hooking birds and cardinals
has been stopped, and the former is i~ncreas-
ing. Laughing gulls and Forster's tern
appeared on the waters near New Orleans
summer for the first time in many wears.
On May S, the day when Audubon was born
Louisiana, appropriate exercises are
required 10 be held in every school in the
State.
Texas is said to possess a greater variety
Of wild creatures than n other State. |
Practically every species OF bird in the
United States is found there at some time
the year. The Audubon monument IL
the State into a vast bird and game !
This is especially true Of the robins
resort TO Texas by millions 10 feed
on the winter berries, growing fat as butter
mute as a sphinx. They were slain bv
for home eating and the market
I'LL the State Audubon Society called a
halt.
One reformed robin hunter confessed IN
marketing 5000 dozen robins in one winter
among the hotels and restaurants. He
sentboys and men by night into the thickets
and cedar brakes, where the robins roasted,
TO fill great sacks with them.
Five hundred convictions for game law