4 Massachusetts Audubon Society 



BIRD DAY AT THE SHARON SAiNCTUARY. 

 By Harry G. Higbee, Superintendent. 



A growing interest in bird protection seemed evidenced on Saturday, 

 May 17th, when nearly two hundred visitors, members and friends of the 

 Massachusetts Audubon Society, gathered at the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary 

 at Sharon to view the work being done here in behalf of the birds, and to 

 -".xplore and study for themselves the many forms of wild life to be found 

 within these 225 acres of woodland, meadow, swamp and hillside. 



Although the day at its beginning gave every promise of being a 

 stormy one, and was, indeed, rather poor for bird observation, forty-six 

 species were noted here during the day, most of these in the immediate 

 vicinity of the old farmhouse which the society now uses as Sanctuary head- 

 quarters, where information of every sort pertaining to birds may be found, 

 and where many interesting exhibits may be studied. 



Braving the uncertainties of the weather, these enthusiastic bird lovers 

 came from every quarter of the state, being present from forty different 

 cities and towns in Massachusetts, from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and 

 New York City. 



Although the economic value of birds is too well known to need any 

 mention here, the value of such a protected area as is being maintained at 

 the Moose Hill Bird Sanctuary by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and 

 the State Fish and Game Commission is not so well known to many persons 

 who are otherwise interested in bird welfare. 



By eliminating as far as possible the enemies of the birds, by provid- 

 ing them food, and offering them suitable shelter and nesting sites, this 

 little tract has become a veritable bird paradise. More than one hundred 

 different kinds of birds have been identified here during the past season, — 

 half that number being several times observed within the sanctuary in a 

 single day. 



The following species were noted here by the writer on Bird Day, the 

 greater part of these being observed in the early morning, before sunrise. 

 Several other species were known to be here, but little opportunity for ex- 

 tended observation was afforded on this day, and most of those mentioned 

 were noted within a short distance of the farmhouse: 



Chewink; whippoorwill; tree swallow; robin; wood thrush; catbird; 

 chipping sparrow; redstart; least flycatcher; song sparrow; yellow 

 warbler; purple finch; oven-bird; Nashville warbler; black and white 

 warbler; red-winged blackbird; chickadee; scarlet tanager; chestnut-sided 

 warbler; hermit thrush; prairie warbler; white-throated sparrow; white- 

 crowned sparrow; house wren; field sparrow; crow; ruffed grouse; golden- 

 winged warbler; barn swallow; Baltimore oriole; flicker; Maryland yellow- 

 throat; black-throated green warbler; blue jay; rose-breasted grosbeak; 

 red-eyed vireo; solitary vireo; goldfinch; ruby-throated hummingbird; 

 bluebird; kingbird; slate-colored junco; cowbird; indigo bunting; chimney 

 swift; and phcebe. 



The hummingbird, kingbird and indigo bunting were seen here for the 

 first time this season. Warblers seemed scarce and but few species were 

 noted. Robin, phoebe, bluebird, song sparrow and house wren nests were 

 under observation. No special bird walks were planned, for this day, but 

 our guests wandered about through the many beautiful trails led by their 



