28 Forbush, Decrease of Birds in Nexv England. ("t^ 



extinction the Bartramian Sandpiper or Upland Plover and some 

 of its congeners, as well as the Golden Plover and the Curlews. 1 



These birds once thronged our coasts, marshes or hillsides in 

 immense flocks during migrations. Only a scattered remnant of 

 this vast host now remains. The Long-billed Curlew appears to 

 be nearly extinct in New England. Only thirty years ago the 

 Upland Plover was a common breeding bird in the uplands of 

 central Massachusetts. They bred then at Worcester within the 

 city limits. Now they have nearly disappeared from the State as 

 breeders, although a few are still found in some remote towns. 

 They are also growing scarce in Vermont and New Hampshire. 



Twenty-four observers report especially on Woodcock in their 

 sections as follows: — Extinct, i; nearing extinction, 8; rare or 

 decreasing, 14; decreasing until the last two years, 1. Others 

 believe that there has been a slight increase in the past two years 

 owing to a law prohibiting market shooting of these birds. 



Fourteen observers report Herons as diminishing in numbers, 

 and only one reports an increase. Old gunners notice particularly 

 the scarcity of Great Blue Herons, which they say were very 

 common fifty to seventy years ago along the coasts and rivers. 

 These herons have not been known to breed in Massachusetts for 

 years. 



The Passenger Pigeon, as is well known, has been practically 

 extinct in New England for at least twenty years. They are 

 occasionally reported as seen, but probably not one has been 

 positively identified of late. 



Mourning Doves appear to be generally rare and growing less. 

 They are reported as follows : Extinct by 8 observers ; nearing 



1 Certain Sandpipers and Curlews which are now rarely seen on the Mass- 

 achusetts coast are still abundant in their seasons on the coast of South 

 Carolina. The fact that nights of these birds are occasionally seen on the 

 Massachusetts coast may indicate that they now ordinarily pass over the New 

 England coast in their migrations to the south from their northern breeding 

 grounds, and that they stop here only during stress of weather. The increas- 

 ing occupation of the shores of Massachusetts and Connecticut in summer and 

 fall by cottagers and gunners may even cause the birds to change their routes 

 of migration. The Golden Plover is still common in the West. Whether the 

 birds have been killed or driven away, New England is the loser. 



