BIRDS OF NEW YORK 59 



the forest and thickets within such preserves, conditions could be made 

 favorable to the species for which they were established, and thus, without 

 additional expense to the State, they could be policed by the protectors 

 who are already in existence as guardians of the law. It is absolutely 

 certain that in many counties of the State the Ruffed grouse, Woodcock 

 and Wood duck can never thrive except with such aid; and as these are 

 three of the species with which the Game Commission is most concerned, 

 it would seem that no better expenditure of the gun license money could 

 be devised than the establishment of such preserves to be owned by the 

 State and controlled by the State Conservation Commission. 



PRIVATE PRESERVES 

 The salvation of many birds and quadrupeds in various countries of 

 Europe has been the private preserves which have furnished them with the 

 only habitat and protection from many of their enemies. In America the 

 same practice is gaining ground. In New England and various other states 

 of the Union, landowners are beginning to set aside portions of their wood- 

 lands, thickets and fields as refuges for the animals in which they are 

 especially interested. There can be no doubt that if this practice becomes 

 general in our own State the protection of bits of woodland and stream- 

 side thickets will be the final means of rescuing many of our most valued 

 songsters from extirpation in the more thickly populated districts. The 

 widespread interest in the means of protecting birds and inquiries as to 

 the proper trees and shrubs to plant for their accommodation are becoming 

 more frequent. By a study of the bird communities outlined above and 

 of the habitats which they prefer, bird fanciers may find the information 

 they need in planting waste land for the encouragement of their feathered 

 friends. The species of fruit and seed-bearing trees which are so often 

 recommended (see Forbush Useful Birds and Their Protection, page 374; 

 Kennard, Bird-Lore 14, 201) will undoubtedly attract the frugivorous 

 and granivorous species, thereby encouraging many of the thrushes and 

 sparrows, and at the same time these trees and shrubs will furnish nesting 



