256 GAME BIRDS. WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



territory between that coast and the east coast of Ungava, 

 between the 70th and 80th parallel, those in the eastern part 

 of its breeding range would thus reach Nova Scotia, New Eng- 

 land and New York, where we now find it in its southern 

 migration. Those in the western part of its range, travelling 

 directly south overland, would thus reach the coast of South 

 Carolina. One would naturally expect the South Carolina 

 migrants to return along the Atlantic coast, but apparently 

 they do not, for Wayne says that between May 1 and 15, 

 when the tide is low in the afternoon, in a light southerly 

 wind, flock after flock may be seen migrating to the north- 

 west. He says that he never saw a flock migrating northward 

 along the coast. The northwest direction may be taken to 

 allow for an eastward drift of the wind (as all birds allow for the 

 deflection of the wind), their course being due north for Hud- 

 son Bay. These birds do not stop on the coasts of New Eng- 

 land, as accounts generally agree that fewer Brown-backs are 

 seen here in the spring than in the fall. The above remarks 

 on the migration of this species are preliminary to what fol- 

 lows regarding its decrease in New England. 



The following brief extracts from the writings of New York 

 and New England ornithologists indicate the Dowitcher's 

 reduction in numbers in this region: As they often settle 

 near each other great numbers are shot down (Peabody, 1839). 

 About the middle of July they return in great numbers to our 

 coast (De Kay, 1844). Congregate in immense flocks in salt 

 marshes (Lewis, 1850). Found in small numbers in marshes 

 along our coast spring and autumn (Samuels, 1870). Not 

 uncommon during migration (Maynard, 1870). Rather com- 

 mon spring and autumn (J. A. Allen, 1870). The birds will 

 come back at call and alight among the decoys, until the last 

 survivor is shot (Samuels, 1897). At present, flocks along the 

 Atlantic coast are few and far between (Sanford, Bishop and 

 Van Dyke. 190.S). Rare spring and uncommon fall migrant 

 (G. M. Allen, Ylassachusetts, 1910). 



Only two correspondents in Massachusetts report the Dow- 

 itcher as increasing, and they are both in Dukes County. 

 Sixty-one say that it is decreasing. Most of the correspond- 



