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Recent Literature. I Oct. 



appear to have well maintained themselves ; which, however, is not the 

 case with the shore birds (Limicoke), which have nearly all decreased 

 greatly in number. Those now considered common were formerly abun- 

 dant, as were some that are now rare or casual, some of the larger species 

 having become nearly exterminated or driven off the coast. 



In regard to the cause of this decrease, it is "evident that man and his 

 works are of the most importance." The first rank is given to sportsmen, 

 or 'so-called sportsmen,' the second to "Italians and other foreigners" ; 

 market hunters rank third, and bird shooters and trappers fourth ; while 

 the clearing and draining of land, and other modern improvements, directly 

 or indirectly contribute a smaller and for the most part non-preventable 

 share. Detailed statements of facts well indicate the r61e respectively 

 enacted by these agencies. 



Considerable space is given to a consideration of the natural enemies 

 of birds, as cats and dogs, foxes, skunks, weasels, crows, jays, and the 

 English Sparrow — last but not least, although "it is well that the fox 

 and crow are not protected by law," in proof of which Mr. Forbush gives 

 abundant evidence. 



Finally suggestions are made for the better protection of birds, which 

 include educational work, the improvement and better enforcement of the 

 laws, and "control of the cat" which is admitted by all careful observers 

 to be one of the worst enemies of wild birds. 



Mr. Forbush's ' Special Report,' taken all in all, is one of the most 

 judicial, instructive, and important publications in the interest of bird 

 protection that has vet appeared, and should have the widest possible cir- 

 culation. — J. A. A. 



Palmer on Game Protection. — In a recent paper of twelve pages Dr. 

 T. S. Palmer recounts ' Some Benefits the Farmer may derive from Game 

 Protection.' 1 These are security against trespass on the part of hunters; 

 a check on hunting, through the requirement in a number of States of a 

 hunting license, thus checking the number of would-be hunters roaming 

 at will over a State ; giving the land owner the right to eject trespassers 

 and to collect damages for injury to his property ; the protection of use- 

 ful birds, as the insectivorous and seed-eating species; protection against 

 the introduction of injurious species of mammals and birds ; financial 

 benefits, arising from the sale of live game for propagating purposes, 

 and the lease of hunting privileges, etc. Each of these is explained and 

 its advantages commented on at length. 



Another paper bv Dr. Palmer relating to the protection of game and 

 birds is a ' Directory of State Officials and Organizations concerned with 

 the Protection of Birds and Game.' 2 This gives a list of the State 



1 Yearbook of U. S. Department of Agriculture for 1904, pp. 509-520. 

 2 'Circular No. 50 ' of the Bureau of Biological Survey, United States De- 

 partment of Agriculture. 8vo, pp. 16. Revised to Aug. 15, 1905. 



