The Audubon Societies 



77 



Forbush's Monthly Bulletin of 

 Information 



Among the many useful efforts to en- 

 courage bird-study and bird protection 

 that E. H. Forbush, State Ornithologist of 

 Massachusetts, has set in motion is his 

 monthly "Bulletin of Information." 



The one for December, 1918 consists of 

 six extra-large pages of mimeographed data 

 regarding the more notable events in the 

 distribution and migration in Massachu- 

 setts. 



These bulletins are sent broadcast and 

 much of the information they contain is 

 copied by the public press. Mr. Forbush 

 encourages people throughout the state to 

 supply his ofl&ce' with data regarding the 

 coming of migratory birds, their numbers 

 and distribution. This, together with his 

 own wide knowledge of the subject, forms 

 a basis for these extensive notes. The Bul- 

 letin just issued is the twelfth that has 

 thus far been published. 



Letter from California 



Mrs. F. T. Bicknell, of Los Angeles, 

 writes: 



"It is not from lack of interest that the 

 Los Angeles Audubon Society is not taking 

 part in the Christmas Census this year, 

 but for the reason that so many of its 

 members, upon whom we rely for correctly 

 identifying the birds, have been, and stili 

 are ill, and not to be depended upon. 



"Then, too, one of our largest 'birding' 

 localities for shore-birds was drained this 

 last summer and it has cut down our pro- 

 ductive territory considerably, and will 

 necessitate new lines of work. We hope by 

 another year to adjust ourselves and enter 

 into the contest with renewed energy and 

 enthusiasm. 



"On account of the Spanish influenza wc 

 have not been allowed to hold any indoor 

 meetings this fall. We have had our regular 

 field trips, however, with good attendance 

 and are encouraged to feel there is no lack 

 of interest. A little later we intend send- 

 ng you the record of a new bird for our 

 ocality upon which we are now making 



notes. I am working for Bird-Lore sub- 

 scriptions and hope to send names very 

 soon." 



A Christmas Card 



The following poem, under the title, 

 'Brother Bird to Brother Man,' by Miss 

 Gertrude Knevels, appeared on an attract- 

 ive 'Christmas Greeting' sent out by the 

 Forest Hills Gardens Audubon Society. 



How big your nest is, neighbor Man, 



How beautiful your fare, 

 While small birds in the wind and snow 



Are starving everywhere. 



Some scattered crumbs, a little seed, 



A drop of water too. 

 And we will sing our gratitude 



Big Brother Man, to you. ^ . 



Ruffed Grouse Scarce in West Virginia 



But a few years ago the Ruffed Grouse, 

 was fairly common throughout the hill re- 

 gion of West Virginia. Why it has become 

 so very scarce in the last year or two is a 

 mystery, but, nevertheless, it is true. 



A party of three, hunting squirrels for 

 three days in the mountainous part of 

 Tucker County in September, reports see- 

 ing but two Grouse. Another party of 

 three, hunting in the mountains of Webster 

 and Randolph counties six days in No- 

 vember, reports seeing thirty-one Grouse. 

 In both places there is an abundance of 

 wild grapes, gum berries, beech nuts and 

 other food for the birds. A few years ago 

 Grouse were plentiful in these same areas. 

 Some hunters killed a few Grouse and it 

 was noticed that all the birds killed were 

 males. One hunter reported that he had 

 killed his quota of Grouse this year. 

 Among the twenty-tive birds was but one 

 female. He had hunted over several coun- 

 ties and noticed that there were very few 

 birds this year, whereas he had found them 

 plentiful last year. It was also noticed 

 that practically all the birds killed were 

 old birds. 



There seems to be a possibilil\' that a 

 large number of Grouse froze to death last 



