26 Forbush, Decrease of Birds in New England. \_)zn 



The Ruffed Grouse also received a severe check ; but the birds 

 bred fairly well in 1904, and in many localities are now increasing. 

 Purple Martins seem to have been rather rare in the spring migra- 

 tions, except in northern New Hampshire, Vermont, and in Maine 

 and Nova Scotia where they were fairly common. 



A few birds came to Massachusetts about April 19, but, appar- 

 ently, they all disappeared. An inkling of their fate was obtained 

 in Concord, Massachusetts, where after a few cold days with five 

 inches of snow which followed the 19th three out of the four adult 

 birds observed were found dead in a bird house. 



Forty-three observers in Massachusetts report as follows : — 

 Martins gone or extinct, 26 reports : nearly extinct, 3 ; rare, 5 ; 

 rare and decreasing, 8 ; as usual, 1. But the most significant fact 

 regarding the disappearance of these birds is that thus far, with 

 the exception of Springfield, where four colonies still persist, 

 evidence has been secured of only three pairs breeding in 1904 

 in the entire State of Massachusetts, although it seems proba- 

 ble from what has been learned that many are breeding locally 

 in parts of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. 1 In 

 Maine they suffered little except in the southwestern portion of 

 the State and appear to be increasing in numbers rather than 

 diminishing. 



Chimney Swifts seem generally much reduced in numbers, and 

 in some localities are rare ; but in a few towns they seem as com- 

 mon as ever. In large sections of Massachusetts Barn Swallows 

 and Tree Swallows are much reduced, evidently as a result of the 

 storms of June, 1903 ; but in other sections no such reduction 

 is noted. 



Red-winged Blackbirds, Orioles, and Marsh Wrens appear to be 

 scarce, locally, from the effect of the storms and floods of June, 

 1903 ; while Meadowlarks and Flickers are rare in sections of 

 southeastern Massachusetts as a probable result of the severe 

 winter following. These birds, however, appear to hold their 

 own in other sections. 



Reports from many parts of Massachusetts indicate that com- 



1 Since the above was written it has been learned by correspondence that a 

 few birds bred in two other localities. 



