Vol. It r-,- 7 r r. ■ 



No. 1 I Birds of Princeton. 



1901 J 



Ducks, etc. (Anseres) is well represented as regards 

 species, but the Ducks, except for two (Anas obscura 

 and Aix sponsa), are not to be depended upon when 

 number of individuals or frequency of occurrence are 

 considered. 



The Herons (Herodiones) and the Rails (Paludicolae) 

 are well represented, especially the former, both as to 

 number and species, while of that large and widely dis- 

 tributed group, the Shore Birds (Limicolas), only five 

 or six species can be counted upon each year with any 

 degree of regularity. 



Of the remaining orders, popularly termed land 

 birds, only two deserve special mention, the others being 

 in all cases abundant. The Quails, Grouse, etc. (Gallinae) 

 have shown a marked decrease in numbers, even during 

 the last few years. Ten years ago. Quail (Colinus vir- 

 ginianus \Linnl\) were abundant; at the present time, 

 however, I doubt very much if a person observing each 

 day in the fall could flush more than four or five cov- 

 eys during the entire season. It is true that a year 

 ago two hundred birds were liberated by the local Fish 

 and Game Society, but the number of quail this fall 

 (1900) has not been materially increased, and the Ruffed 

 Grouse (Bonasa umbellus [Zz;?;/.]) 'is so infrequently 

 seen near Princeton as to be called rare. 



The Birds of Prey (Raptores) while still represented 

 by the smaller species show an even more rapid decrease 

 in numbers than the preceding. The larger birds of 

 prey, especially of those beneficial genera Buteo and 

 Asio, have suffered severely at the hands of gunners 

 and farmers. At present the Rough-legged Hawk 

 (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis [Ginel?^ ) is a rather 

 rare visitor and the once common Red-tailed Hawk 



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