472 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



been noted. Wherever enough reports regarding any fam- 

 ily or species have been received to warrant drawing con- 

 elusions, they will be given. 



In regard to the cuckoos, kingfishers and woodpeckers 

 there is not sufficient evidence on which to base anything 

 more than an assumption that they are in general maintain- 

 ing their former status. The northern flicker, gaffer wood- 

 pecker, high-hole, pigeon woodpecker or "wood pigeon," 

 is believed by some to be diminishing rapidly, and this is 

 probably true in some localities, but generally its numbers 

 are being well maintained. Twelve observers report it as 

 diminishing ; twenty-four, as holding its own ; and twelve, 

 as increasing. Four of the reports showing a decrease are 

 from south-eastern Massachusetts, and the cause attributed 

 is the hard winter of 1903-04. Six of the others came from 

 regions in Middlesex County where the birds probably have 

 decreased from palpable causes. 



Family Caprimulgidce. 



The Wltip-poor-will and the Nighthawk. Six reports 

 mention a recent sudden decrease or an absence of the whip- 

 poor-will, which may or may not be a result of the June 

 storms of 1903 ; but there is much evidence that the night- 

 hawk has been diminishing for years in certain sections. 

 Twenty-four observers report it as diminishing, very rare 

 or absent, where it was formerly common. Seventeen see 

 no change in their localities, but only eight report the bird 

 as increasing or abundant. The decrease is reported from 

 Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk and 

 Bristol counties, which comprise much the greater part of 

 the State. In Essex County the species seems to be hold- 

 ing its own, or in some cases increasing. We have Barn- 

 stable, Nantucket and Dukes counties yet to hear from. In 

 some localities in all parts of the State nighthawks seem to 

 be holding their own ; but the evidence of competent ob- 

 servers seems to agree, in the main, with my own experi- 

 ence, that they are decreasing over large areas. Mr. 

 William Brewster, who has kept careful records of the 

 number of birds seen and heard, says that nighthawks 



