. Bird lore. Birds; Birds; Ornithology. Reports of Field Agents 347 south shore of Martha's Vineyard is the safest and best breeding-place for the Least Tern in New England. If by reason of persecution by man or natura enemies they once leave that shore, extirpation from New England will in- evitably follow unless strict protection can be given them wherever they settle. On Martha's Vineyard there are no raccoons, skunks, or foxes, few minks, and very few other inimical mammals. The greatest natural enemy there, as well as on the mainland, is the domestic cat run wild. These animals roam the V
. Bird lore. Birds; Birds; Ornithology. Reports of Field Agents 347 south shore of Martha's Vineyard is the safest and best breeding-place for the Least Tern in New England. If by reason of persecution by man or natura enemies they once leave that shore, extirpation from New England will in- evitably follow unless strict protection can be given them wherever they settle. On Martha's Vineyard there are no raccoons, skunks, or foxes, few minks, and very few other inimical mammals. The greatest natural enemy there, as well as on the mainland, is the domestic cat run wild. These animals roam the Vineyard in considerable numbers. If the birds are to exist there, wardens will be required to destroy wandering cats and rats on that part of the island. Elsewhere though the birds nest from time to time, they will be driven away. ROSEATE TERN OK NEST. NOTE THE COMPARATIVELY SHORT WINGS AND THE LONG WHITE TAIL Photographed by Edward Howe Forbush by their natural enemies and molestation by summer people on the beaches. There is no safety for them anywhere in Massachusetts unless strictly protected during the breeding-season by resident wardens. Even if so guarded, all beaches on which these Terns are likely to breed are by law open to the public. As the beaches become more and more frequented, there will always be danger that the eggs and young, the colors of which resemble that of the sand on which they lie, will be trodden under foot. Many Tern colonies now lie near popular beaches and are visited by many summer sojourners and tourists. The birds are constantly disturbed and driven from their nests. Such disturbance increasing will in time drive them from any locality. The old notion that Terns leave their eggs to be hatched by the heat of the sun is an error. The eggs must be constantly incubated and the newly hatched young must be brooded to preserve their lives. If exposed. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enh
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectorn
