14 



MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 



Ruffed Grouse, although up to their usual numbers in the winter of 1914-15, 

 had so diminished throughout the State in the next few years that the Fish and 

 Game Commissioner in 1918 requested sportsmen to spare them. It is believed 

 that the extreme cold season of 1917-18 made the raising of broods difficult or 

 impossible as the plant-lice, on which the young depend for food, were largely 

 destroyed. Wet springs also had their effect. Since then the bird seems to 

 have nearly or quite returned to its usual numbers. 



Notwithstanding rumors to the contrary, the Passenger Pigeon appears to be 

 extinct. The last individual, which was in confinement in Cincinnati, died in 

 1914. On the other hand the Mourning Dove is more frequently reported than 

 formerly. 



Among the hawks the only noticeable change in numbers is to be remarked 

 in the case of the Rough-legged Hawk. Since 1905, I have seen one or two and 

 rarely as many as four of this species at Ipswich nearly every winter. It is pos- 

 sible that these may be the same individuals coming back every year, and it is 

 obvious that observers would not find them if these visitors were promptly shot 

 on their first appearance. Their recognition in the field is generally so easy that 

 the gun in this case has not been necessary. 



The Prairie Horned Lark, which reached the eastern seacoast at Ipswich and 

 bred in 1903, has since increased in numbers and has become a regular breeder 

 in the County. The Horned Lark or Shore Lark was much decreased in numbers 

 in the winter of 1918-19. 



The Orchard Oriole, formerly breeding regularly at Ipswich, apparently 

 ceased to do so after 1908, although I recorded a female there in September, 1918, 

 and it was found singing in Lynn in May, 1913. It is very probable that the 

 extensive spraying of orchards in which it nests, has been responsible for this. 

 The Baltimore Oriole has been for the same reason less common but is, I believe, 

 returning to its usual numbers, now that spraying of elm trees is less universal. 



The Bronzed Grackle has undoubtedly increased in numbers in the last fifteen 

 years. In the original Memoir I stated that they had begun to build their nests 

 in towns and cities and their numbers in these places have continued to increase. 

 An index of this in Boston is given by Mr. Wright :^ in 1900, there were two pairs 

 in the Public Garden, while in 1906, thirty-two nests were built. Finding the 

 vicinity of human habitations favorable for nesting sites, food, and safety, they 

 have taken to building in the vines of houses in increasing numbers. In 1907, for 

 the first time, they built in the vines of my Ipswich house although Robins had 

 found it a favorable locality for some years. They are also fond of breeding in 

 evergreens near houses. 



1 Wright, H. W. Birds of the Boston Public Garden, pp. 93, 94, 1909. 



