Xl. 
T IS pleasant to report that Pine Hills has this 
year had a larger number of birds than at any 
time since its organization as a community of 
suburban homes. There have been more in 
number and greater variety. 
The advent here of protective thought was fol- 
lowed by a successful effort to discourage the 
destructive bird-slayer, the tramp cat, and to se- 
cure a more direct, watchful care of the domestic 
cat, especially during the birds’ breeding season. 
The result has been a freer distribution of song 
and other helpful birds. 
In 1903 the number of species of birds on 
Pine Hills did not exceed thirty. This year there 
have been sixty-one species, with a large increase 
in the whole number. Only for the obdurate 
English sparrow, it is safe to say the increase 
would have been much greater. 
Of our familiar birds the best loved are the 
robin, bluebird, songsparrow and the little 
socialis. Their place in the heart of the loyal 
bird lover is well established. Other birds as 
well known, but not as intimately, are the 
phoebe, oriole, catbird, bobolink, wren, summer 
warbler and the pretty, petite, ruby-crowned 
humming bird. These two groups busy them- 
selves about our homes, in the trees, shrubs and 
vines, building their nests and rearing their young 
unmolested. Here is an opportunity to enter 
nature’s domain, where dwells a spirit of unsel- 
fish love. 52 
