Vol. XXII 

 1905 



Forbush, Decrease of Birds in Netu England. 2Z 



THE DECREASE OF CERTAIN BIRDS IN NEW 

 ENGLAND. 



BY EDWARD HOWE FORBUSH. 



In the course of an inquiry made in 1903 to determine the 

 effects exerted on bird-life by an unusual season, some unsought 

 evidence was received regarding a general and progressive de- 

 crease in the number of birds in certain sections. This suggested 

 the propriety of further investigation to determine what species 

 were known to be actually diminishing in numbers. This paper is 

 intended as a sequel to the results of the first inquiry and a pre- 

 liminary statement of some facts gleaned from the mass of material 

 acquired in pursuing the second. 



In summing up the evidence regarding the destruction of nests, 

 eggs, young and adult birds by the severe weather of the 'Summer 

 of 1903 and the winter of 1903-04 the following statement was 

 made regarding the bird probabilities for Massachusetts in 1904. 



"If we assume .... that the evidence submitted approximates 

 the facts, we may be justified in believing that the Bob-white has 

 been reduced generally at least ninety-five per cent, that Grouse 

 will be scarce this spring, and that Purple Martins will be gener- 

 ally absent, although a few individuals or colonies probably will 

 appear locally in Massachusetts. There probably will be also an 

 unusual local scarcity of many of the species mentioned [in the 

 list of birds destroyed] .... and possibly of more not mentioned." 1 



The inquiry made in 1904 seems to give to this statement the 

 force of a prediction fulfilled. Of thirty-eight correspondents 

 who speak particularly of the Bob-white, six now regard these 

 birds as exterminated, thirty-one as nearly exterminated or rare, 

 while only one finds them common. The diminution of the Bob- 

 white is now a matter of common knowledge. However, many of 

 these birds have been introduced from other States and liberated, 

 during the season, by sportsmen's organizations, with the expecta- 

 tion that they will breed and restock the covers. 



x The Destruction of Birds by the Elements in 1903-04. By Edward 

 Howe Forbush. Annual Report Mass. Board of Agriculture, 1903. p. 498. 



