No. 123.] ORNITHOLOGY. 12.3 



parts of the State he has been able to collect a great amount 

 of information. It is purposed to embody this material in 

 two volumes of about 600 pages each, giving not only descrip- 

 tions but also the marks by which the species may be known 

 in the field, and notes on the life history, habits and food of 

 each species. 



The plan proposed is to print 5,000 copies of each volume, 

 place both volumes in every free public library in the Com- 

 monwealth, and dispose of the remaining copies at a price that 

 will reimburse the Commonwealth for the money expended. 

 It is recommended, therefore, that the director of the Division 

 of Ornithology be authorized to prepare for printing two 

 volumes, of 600 pages each, on the birds of the Common- 

 wealth, and that a sufficient sum for the preparation of the 

 drawings to be used in illustrating this report be appropriated 

 at the coming session of the Great and General Court of 

 Massachusetts. 



An Assistant Ornithologist. 

 This office was allowed $750 for an assistant during the 

 year 1920. It is respectfully submitted that no capable as- 

 sistant can be obtained for this sum. It cannot be expected 

 that the present director will remain in office many years. It 

 will be difficult to secure a man fit to fill the position, as most 

 trained ornithologists have work that is more congenial or more 

 remunerative. A capable man should be engaged immediately 

 to be trained to fill the vacancy which will occur before man}' 

 years. It is recommended, therefore, that $1,500 be appropri- 

 ated for an assistant ornithologist. 



A Plan for Adequate Protection of the Ruffed Grouse. 



In 1919, after two years of great scarcity of Ruflfed Grouse, 

 a closed season for one year resulted in a considerable increase 

 of the birds. At present, however, the numbers of this species 

 in Massachusetts are rather disappointing. 



In some places where the birds were common in summer they 

 mostly disappeared during the shooting season. This is true 

 particularly of regions about the centers of population, and 

 also in many sections readily accessible to motor cars. On 

 some reservations where no shooting has been allowed, and on 



