CHAPTER XIII 



THE NATURAL ENEMIES OF BIRDS 



The facts presented in the preceding chapter nat- 

 urally lead one to inquire what are the forces that 

 have caused the great decrease of some birds, and 

 that are holding our song-birds in check and pre- 

 venting their increase. In the report by Mr. For- 

 bush to which reference has already been made 

 statistics were gathered regarding the causes of the 

 decrease of birds. 



The following is taken from his report for the 

 State of Massachusetts, with a few of the minor 

 causes omitted : — 



Man the Exterminator 



The reports on the diminution of bird life, as caused 

 directly or indirectly by man, may be tabulated as fol- 

 lows to show the relative importance of each cause : — 



Cause Number of observers 



reporting (out of 217) 



Sportsmen, or (so-called "sportsmen") 82 



Italians and other foreigners 70 



Cutting off timber and shrubbery 62 



Market hunters 57 



Bird shooters and trappers 32 



Egg collectors, boys and others 32 



Milliners' hunters 18 



Draining marshes and meadows 17 



Gun clubs and hunting contests 16 



