72 MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 



recognize them, and sweeping statements are sometimes made from impressions 

 that are often erroneous. There is no doubt, however, but that the shore birds 

 have diminished in numbers during these years, yet years of plenty occur now, 

 and years of scarcity occurred twenty-five years ago. A July and August free 

 from easterly storms, and with few thunder showers, will allow many of the shore 

 birds to omit our shores from their feeding and resting places, — and they are 

 dangerous ones for them, — and to fly south outside. This was largely the case 

 in 1904, while in 1903 there were more than twice as many shore birds to be 

 found here. 



While the Gulls and Terns diminished during the early years of this period, 

 they have noticeably increased during the last few years, owing to the efforts of 

 the Audubon Society in influencing public sentiment on the subject of Terns' 

 feathers in hats, in protecting the birds from being shot here, and especially in 

 safeguarding their breeding places on the rocky islands of the Maine coast. 

 Although many of the Ducks show sadly diminished ranks, the Scoters are often 

 as abundant during the migrations as they were twenty-five years ago. 



The establishment of public reservations where shooting is forbidden, is 

 doing a great deal to bring back former conditions. The Ducks are learning the 

 security of the ponds, and the shore birds and Gulls are flocking to the beaches 

 thus protected. 



Of the Hawks, the numbers are constantly diminishing, owing to the cutting 

 off of the large nesting-trees, although the Red-shouldered Hawk holds its own 

 remarkably well. The most obvious changes have occurred among the smaller 

 birds owing to the unfortunate introduction of the English Sparrow. In the late 

 seventies none of these pests were to be found in villages like Magnolia, and 

 they remained in the larger cities until early in the eighties. Then they spread 

 to the smaller towns and villages, and they are now taking up their residence in 

 outlying farms. Wherever they go, they take possession sooner or later of all 

 bird boxes, driving out Purple Martins, Tree Swallows, House Wrens, and Blue- 

 birds. As a consequence these useful and beautiful native birds have all 

 diminished in numbers, with the possible exception of the Bluebird, which, after 

 its decimation by the storms in 1896, has apparently entirely recouped itself. 

 Tree Swallows, while they have diminished very much in towns and villages, still 

 gather in undiminished numbers in the autumn migrations along the seashore. 

 While many of the smaller birds, particularly the box-dwellers, have been 

 persecuted and driven out by the English Sparrow, the Baltimore Oriole and 

 Warbling Vireo, dwelling high up in the tall elms, hold their own. The Bronzed 

 Grackle has apparently increased in the vicinity of man, and appears to be held 

 in dread by the English Sparrow, on whose fat nestlings the Grackle undoubtedly 

 occasionally dines. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak has certainly increased in nura- 



