BIRDS. 



The following list of birds is not designed to be a 

 contribution to ornithology, but to present in brief 

 form as correct and complete an enumeration of the 

 bird-fauna of Dover as it is practicable to procure at 

 the present time, and thereby stimulate observation. 

 It is the result of personal observations made during 

 many years, partly in Dover, but more largely in those 

 portions of Sherborn, Natick, and Wellesley imme- 

 diately adjoining, and, in addition, of verbal notes 

 communicated by other persons living in the vicinity. 

 Owing to the lack of resident observers a list of local 

 records would of necessity be so meagre as to be of 

 little use, and would give an erroneous impression of 

 the fauna. Persons desirous of obtaining fuller in- 

 formation on this subject should consult the '* Anno- 

 tated List of Birds of Wellesley and Vicinity," 

 published by the author of the present list. 



All of the species enumerated have been noted within 

 a short distance, nearly ail within a mile, of the town 

 boundaries, and most of them in the town itself. Addi- 

 tional species, chiefly of the water-birds and shore-birds, 

 doubtless occur from time to time, records of which in 

 the immediate vicinity I have been unable to secure. 



The economic importance of birds is often overlooked 

 even by those who are most benefited. They are one 

 of nature's most efficient means for keeping in check 

 the myriads of injurious insects with which the agri- 

 culturist has to contend. As a class, even the pre- 

 daceous birds — the hawks and owls — do vastly more 



