6 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



of 536 feet. The value of this area as a bird sanctuary is further en- 

 hanced by the fact that several square miles of adjoining territory have 

 already been set apart by the state as a protected area for the birds. An- 

 other advantage is that the sanctuary may be easily reached from Boston — 

 Sharon being but a little over eighteen miles south, on the Providence 

 Division of the New Haven Railroad. 



A preliminary survey of this tract has been made, and the land posted 

 with suitable signs, forbidding the disturbing of birds or nests, or the 

 gathering of fruits, flowers or shrubs within the sanctuary. 



Systematic records of birds and their nesting are being kept on special 

 cards which we have designed and had printed for this purpose. An office 

 has been established in the farmhouse, and several of the rooms arranged 

 for museum and exhibition purposes, where students and visitors may find 

 much to interest them relating to bird study. Several collections of general 

 interest are also on exhibition here; including a collection of butterflies, 

 moths and other insects, numbering about 400 specimens; two cases of 

 minerals, and several exhibits of educational value pertaining to the eco- 

 nomic importance of birds. 



Weekly reports have been rendered, showing progress of the work 

 here, and general conditions regarding the movements and habits of the 

 birds of this vicinity. 



About fifty species of birds are known to have nested within the sanc- 

 tuary grounds this season, and about thirty more kinds were observed here 

 during the migrations. 



Several interesting and unusual notes have been obtained in connec- 

 tion with nest observations, and a number of useful photographs have been 

 secured. 



In connection with the bird study and experimental work to be carried 

 on here, insect, plant and animal life are also being observed, and it may 

 be of interest to record here that about 175 species of wild flowers and 

 flowering plants; 80 or more kinds of trees, shrubs and vines, and twenty 

 different ferns have already been identified within the sanctuary grounds. 



Plans are being laid for experimental work in feeding devices for at- 

 tracting and holding birds throughout the winter months; also for the 

 construction of a pool and bird-bath in the dooryard at the farm. Methods 

 of increasing useful birds are being studied, and every effort is being made 

 as far as circumstances will permit, to make the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary 

 attractive and of permanent value, both to birds and to bird students. 



ALLEGED REDISCOVERY OF THE PASSENGER PIGEON 

 Statement by John M. Clarke, Director New York State Museum 



October 7, 1918. 



The enclosed letter from Mr. M. Rasmussen of Amsterdam, N. Y., 

 is in reply to an inquiry from me regarding a statement of his discovery 

 which Mr. Rasmussen had left with one of my associates at the State Museum. 



I have had a personal interview with Mr. Rasmussen since the date 

 of the enclosed letter, in which he tells me that he has been a student and 



