PINNATED GROUSE 229 
killed by the hen. The hen was subsequently given 
some pheasant eggs, and hatched them and reared the 
chicks with all possible care. 
That this bird possesses a high interest, not only 
for the sportsman, but because it is now on the very 
point of extinction, is obvious. Much has been said 
and written about its preservation, but the credit for 
setting on foot a movement which it is hoped may pre- 
vent the extermination of the species is due to Mr. J. E. 
Howland. He urged the importance of the situation 
on the Massachusetts commission, and a permanent 
guardian was located in the region inhabited by the 
birds to study their habits and enforce the law. Some- 
what later, Representative Mayhew introduced a bill 
into the General Court, placing under the use and 
control of the commission such lands as may be do- 
nated, leased, purchased or otherwise placed under 
temporary or permanent control, as a refuge and breed- 
ing area for the heath hen. A number of individuals 
have subscribed money to enable the commission to take 
advantage of this law, and about sixteen hundred acres 
have been placed under special protection. The Massa- 
chusetts legislature has authorized the commissioners 
to take such unimproved lands upon Martha’s Vine- 
yard—not exceeding one thousand acres—as they may 
deem necessary for the purpose of making fire stops 
for the protection from fire of the feeding and breed- 
ing grounds of the pinnated grouse, or of otherwise 
securing the maintenance and increase of such pinnated 
grouse or of any other species of wild birds upon said 
