The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-07
PRESERVE FOR BIRDS.
Audubon Society Obtains Rocky
Place on the Maine Coast.

Through the efforts of the Audubon
society a perpetual lease was OBJ
tanned last year from the state of
Maine of a small rocky island to be
used as a bird reservation. There
lives the only colony of the American
elder duck once so plentiful along the
coast and now confined to this one
point.
The birds are under the charge of
a trustworthy warden, who is en-
ployed by the year. AS a result of his
personal supervisfon4 it is known that
at least Is young elders were bred
there in the last season. Doubtless
many more were raised, but owing to
the dense growth on the island and to
the inexpediency of disturbing the
nest birds it was impossible to make a
complete census of the new broods.
The young reported were seen off the
island with the parent birds.
Such bird reservations are not only
useful as protected refugees 1or oTeeo.
ing birds, but as fields to study. Most
of the wardens are employed by the
Audubon society in various parts of
the country only during the breeding
season, when the birds are in, colo
MES. After this period. the birds scat
ter. and there is no necessity for the
service of guards. There are few
exceptions to this rule when guards
are employed by the year. In May
last year thirteen wardens were en-
common terms, and black guillemots
were raised in large numbers, and the
birds are becoming surprisingly tame
and fearless.
Isolated rock islands along the
coast of Maine, such as Great and Lit
tie Duck Islands, off Seal Harbor, are
often the breeding places of innum-
cradle families of gulls. terms and pet
rels. Matiricus, with its group OF
small rock islands standing far out
he
terra firma on this side of the broad
Atlantic, seems to be an especially ia
vorite resort for these birds.
The main island, about 400 acres in
size, has a population OF III souls
simple fisher-fo1k, whose hospitality
to their rare visitors is as broad as
their means are narrow. The CEN
ter of the island is wooded, and part
of it is under cultivation; but even in
summer it would be bleak spot at
best were it not for the birds.
If the inhabitants are few the bird
population is enormous. The APP
proach of a yacht in the waters of
Matinicus is an event to both men and
birds, as the regular boat touches
there only twice a week. AS one ap-
proaches from the sea the rocks are
seen to be covered with some strange
white and gray coating, which at
closer range shows signs of animation,
and which at the sound of the steam
whistle proves to be composed of hun
dreds Of gul1s, terms. and other sea
birds, young and old. which take
flight as the yacht casts anchor.
Taught by experience, they soar
around the boat, with a great tapping
of wings, all necessarily chattering for
food.
It is difficult to estimate the num-
Der of the gull and tern colonies at
the present time. In a few years,
during which protection has been ex-
tended to them, they have increased
enormously The last report of the
Audubon society, for 1906. gives as
conservative estimate for that year
$4,000 young birds. A most effective
check to overproductfon along the
coast, however, is put by the spring
storm tides. which sometimes sweep
away thousands of young birds or I'M
Matched eggs.
The terms, or sea swallows. add
requisite touch of life to their sur
roundings. Many years of uninter-
rupted slaughter among these beauti-
full creatures for millinery purposes,
DESTROYED them all except in a few
localities. Until 1884 thousands were
bred on the Long Island shores. Pro-
tective laws, however. are having a
good effect. and young ones are be-
ginning to reappear.-New York
Times.