THE DECREASE OF CERTAIN BIRDS, AND ITS CAUSES, 

 WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR BIRD PROTECTION. 



BY EDWARD HOWE FORBUSH, ORNITHOLOGIST TO THE BOARD. 



In the pursuit of an inquiry regarding the destruction of 

 birds by the elements, which was authorized by this Board 

 in 1903, some evidence was obtained relating to a decrease 

 in the number of birds from other causes. It was asserted 

 by correspondents that the extermination of certain species 

 was already imminent, and That many others were rapidly 

 decreasing in numbers. The secretary of the Board, upon 

 being informed of this evidence, authorized an investigation 

 of the alleged decrcu.se and threatened extirpation of useful 

 birds, with a view to determine what species had suffered 

 most, and whether it would be practicable to furnish them 

 better protection. Four hundred circulars requesting infor- 

 mation were prepared and sent out in July. They were 

 mailed to naturalists, officers of the Audubon Society, cor- 

 respondents of the Board of Agriculture, secretaries of 

 game protective associations, taxidermists, officers of the 

 Massachusetts Commissioners on Fisheries and Game, sports- 

 men, market hunters, principals of academies, and intelli- 

 gent observers generally. 



It was intended to compile the evidence, when received, 

 into the form of a bulletin ; but this proved impracticable, 

 on account of the vast amount of material returned in 

 answer to the inquiry. It was finally decided to prepare a 

 special report on the subject. 



Some of the circulars returned contained little informa- 

 tion, but two hundred and seventeen of them furnished data 

 of more or less value. Several correspondents sent excel- 

 lent annotated local lists. About one hundred letters also 



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