1899 J Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 67 



of whom have done excellent work in warning nest robbers and 

 shooters. As most of the wardens are unpaid, however, they can 

 devote but little time to this work. The precincts of the new 

 Metropolitan Park are regularly patrolled by Park Policemen, 

 and the laws against gunners or nest robbers here are very severe, 

 the result being a large increase in the Park of Crows, Quail' 

 Woodcock, Grouse. Jays. Squirrels, and Water Fowl. Most 

 important has been the action of the Board of Agriculture which, 

 at Mr. Forbush's request, appointed twenty bird wardens from the 

 Gypsy Moth force. 



Mr. Forbush regards stray cats as one of the greatest sources 

 of harm to our smaller birds, especially to the young in the nests, 

 while boy gunners, pot hunters and Italians are very destructive. 

 Respecting nests he states that he has had several competent 

 observers watching nests within a few miles of his office for three 

 years past with the object of obtaining data on the habits and 

 food of the birds, and each year 75% of the nests are in some 

 way robbed of eggs or young. 



Mr. Forbush reports also, as a sample case, the arrest of three 



Italians, one of whom had on his person nine birds Robins. 



Hermit Thrushes and ] )owny Woodpeckers, and says: "It is 

 pleasant to be able to add that this man was fined $90, while 

 the others with him were fined for carrying firearms. 



" Other Italians were also arrested and fined for trapping birds 

 for dealers in cage birds in Boston, and Judge Pettengill, the 

 trial justice, said: ' I know and love our song birds. Time was 

 when I knew every bird we have hereabouts by its call note. 

 The woods around Boston are full of men and boys with guns 

 who shoot song birds, and I am glad to hear of the interest now 

 taken in the organization of societies for effecting their protec- 

 tion and increase.' Judge Pettengill furnishes a worthy example 

 for imitation by some of our other judges who are sometimes 

 more considerate of the shooters than of the birds." 



Illinois. 



Mr. Ruthven Deane, in addition to his report on the work of 

 the Illinois Audubon Society, says : " Great credit is due to the 



