SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY 1 1 



gun. A collector is eager to take the first opportunity to secure a rare bird, 

 thereby terminating at once all observations on habits. The discharge of the gun 

 drives otif other birds which he might otherwise have seen, and makes the record 

 doubtful or valueless if he misses the bird sought. On this account it is better, 

 if possible, to make a careful examination with glasses before using the gun. It 

 is very probable that many individuals, if not molested, come back year after year 

 to the same place and, possibly, bring others with them. In this way the records 

 are increased. 



The advantages in the use of powerful glasses are obvious but it should 

 always be remembered that the man behind the glasses is of the most importance. 

 Far better one indisputable record made by the gun, than dozens of records of 

 doubtful authenticity by the glasses. Without the use of the gun our knowledge 

 of birds would be seriously handicapped, in fact the study of birds would cease 

 to be an exact science. 



The third cause for an apparent increase without an actual increase in any 

 species may be due to a larger number of observers and a greater area covered 

 at all seasons of the year. That there has been in Essex County a great increase 

 in the number of observers, the statements in the previous chapter show. Bird 

 study has become increasingly more popular. Fifteen or more years ago visits to 

 the seashore in winter were rarely made ; now they are common. But there is a 

 source of embarrassment in this increased number of observers. One must 

 beware of the enthusiastic amateur. An observer, describing herself in these 

 terms, wrote that she was confident she had seen a Golden-cheeked Warbler in the 

 County, a bird not previously recorded north of Texas ! Another " amateur " 

 reported by Dr. Dwight^ in the Auk was entirely satisfied he had seen two Scarlet 

 Tanagers in December ; another reports a Kingbird in February. 



Although such erroneous records are easily discovered and discredited, there 

 are others that are within the bounds of possibility whose erroneous nature is 

 less easily detected. Particularly pernicious is the publication of this class of 

 notes, which lead the ignorant and untrained amateur students into a competitive 

 race for unusual records. Partly with the help of members of the Essex County 

 Ornithological Club, I have endeavored to estimate the accuracy of observers in 

 the County, and I have omitted all doubtful records and all records by observers 

 who are known to be inaccurate. I am glad to be able to state that there is now 

 a considerable number of observers for the County whose records are to be 

 depended on. 



In the following remarks there is no intention to consider each species or 

 even group of birds but to call attention to some of the more striking changes. 



1 Dwight, J., Jr. Auk, vol. 25, p. 262, 1918. 



