10 MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



Nighthawk, Kingbird and Cowbird. If the fire-swept district had not been 

 previously lumbered, or the fire had spread slowly, killing but not consuming, 

 the myriads of bleached or blackened trunks attract numerous woodpeckers 

 and their holes later furnish congenial homes for Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, 

 House Wrens and Sparrow Hawks. Where the original timber was largely 

 hardwood, indicating good soil, a thrifty second growth follows axe or fire 

 and unless repeatedly fire-swept a new tangle of broad-leaved shrubs and 

 trees is rapidly built up, where we find an abundant bird-life in which the 

 Junco, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Indigo Bird, Goldfinch, Catbird, 

 Brown Thrasher, Yellow and Chestnut-sided, Maryland Yellowthroat and 

 Mourning Warblers are added to the forms already mentioned. 



The deep woods, whether swamp or upland, never shelter the wealth of 

 bird life found in partly cleared or well cultivated districts. Stream-borders, 

 lake margins, or other openings in the forest always teem with bird and insect 

 life, for here a greater variety of conditions is found and larger numbers of 

 birds seek the sunlight and shade, food supply and shelter which insure, so 

 far as wild nature can, the welfare of their young. 



RECENT CHANGES IN THE BIRD LIFE OF THE STATE. 



' There is a general and probably a correct impression that birds as a whole 

 are much less abundant in the eastern United States today than they were 

 a half century ago, and this doubtless is as true in Michigan as elsewhere. It 

 is further believed that such changes in Michigan have been specially marked 

 because of the removal of so much timber in recent years. Unquestionably 

 the deforesting of the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula has made 

 noteworthy changes in the birds of the region and such changes are still in 

 progress and doubtless will continue, since the axe is commonly followed by 

 fire, and that again by more or less complete reforestation or by the cultivated 

 fields of the farmer and fruit grower. Moreover the draining of many of 

 our extensive swamps and marshes has altered in a marked degree the 

 character of large portions of the state and has changed correspondingly 

 the conditions under which the birds of these regions live. For example, 

 when a dense pine forest is completely removed certain species formerly 

 abundant in the woods disappear completely, some remain for a time, although 

 in diminished numbers, and others seem to be but slightly affected or may 

 even increase noticeably. At the same time a considerable number of new 

 forms appear, species partial to open fields or bushy plains and never found 

 in the dense forest. 



In attempting to recognize and explain the changes in bird population 

 which have taken place during the last century, we are met at the outset by 

 the lack of accurate knowledge as to the conditions at the beginning of that 

 period. We know with more or less certainty what species could be found 

 here and there in the wilderness, or about the cultivated areas of the pioneers; 

 but even at the present day careful estimates of the number of individuals 

 of any one species inhabiting a given area are not common and formerly 

 such a census was rarely if ever attempted. Even at the present time the 

 casual observer, or even the local observer whose experience has been limited 

 to a small field, is certain to be deceived by appearances and is apt to believe 

 that the yearly fluctuations in the number of birds observed indicate great 

 increase or decrease in the total numbers in the entire country. No mistake 

 is more common among people who are bird lovers but 'not bird students 

 than the behef that some particular spot with which they are famihar is 



