SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 97 
clears the ground and plants his crops and orchards—and pre- 
pares to fight the insects which everywhere follow his efforts— 
the birds troop in to make war upon the insect pests that would 
fain destroy the fruits of his labors. On this point the report of 
Mr. John M. Edson, of New Whatcom, Washington, is of such 
general interest that we quote it in full: 
For the past three years I have followed the practice of counting (or esti- 
mating) the birds of each species seen in a day’s outing, and recording the 
result. These outings have been as frequent as once a week. I may say 
that my observations in this region, extending over @ period of eight years, 
would indicate that there is here an increase in bird life rather than other- 
wise. The conditions here are, no doubt, exceptional. 
The field of my observations has been in the vicinity of Bellingham Bay 
(an arm of Puget Sound). This region, like all of Washington west of the 
Cascades, is, as you well know, covered with a heavy growth of evergreen 
timber. But a small beginning has as yet been made in the cutting away 
of these forests. They are but sparingly populated with birds, whether we 
refer to the number of individuals or species. The woodman and his axe 
have not as yet encroached upon their domain enough to make any per- 
ceptible alteration in their numbers. Yet, on the other hand, the wood- 
man is unquestionably to be credited with bringing a considerable increase 
in that considerable class of birds which inhabit the open, partially cleared 
lands. 
As an instance of marked increase, I noted my first chipping sparrow in 
1894. Since then their numbers have increased annually, till this season I 
have seen more than a dozen in Whatcom. The robin, bluebird, meadow- 
lark, Gambel’s sparrow, junco, savanna sparrow, swallows, martin, king- 
bird and probably some warblers have, I think, perceptibly increased. The 
California mountain quail, an introduced species, has multiplied greatly, as 
has also to some extent the valley quail and bob-white. The Asiatic pheas- 
ants are reported to be increasing at points south of here, though none 
have come under my own observation. I have never seen or heard of the 
presence hereabouts of any of the European song birds introduced in Ore- 
gon a few years ago. = 
Even our crow seems to welcome thé advent of man. His services as 
a scavenger are recognized, and he is little molested. He consorts with the 
chickens in the barnyard and doves upon the street, and during the rainy 
season is abundant in all parts of the town. Of course, I refer to the North- 
west crow. 
The sooty grouse seems to be one of the first species to retire before the 
encroachments of the white man. Large numbers of the band-tailed pi- 
geon are killed annually, and its fate will, I have no doubt, ultimately be 
that of its eastern congener, though I have not observed that any decrease 
is as yet apparent. 
As to the ducks, geese, etc., there has probably been some decrease. Cer- 
tainly many more are killed than formerly. With the gulls, grebes, guille- 
