No. 4.] DECREASE OF BIRDS. 535 



ern parts of the State, where they are generally at least 

 holding their own. 



Great blue herons probably rarely breed now in the State, 

 and other herons seem to have diminished somewhat gener- 

 ally, although in some sections their numbers seem subject 

 to little change. The night herons have recently increased 

 in numbers where the heronries have been protected. 



Crows, while fluctuating much, have generally held their 

 own, and in many sections have increased in numbers. 

 Mourning doves have decreased, and are generally rare or 

 wanting except in some eastern sections. There are some 

 indications, however, that they may be increasing now in a 

 few localities. 



The smaller native birds fluctuate, some species decreas- 

 ing in some localities and increasing in others, but appar- 

 ently holding their own very well, in general. There may 

 be a slight decrease in the aggregate, owing to the evident 

 diminution of many species in and near the cities, with no 

 corresponding increase in the country. There appears to 

 be no general and noticeable reduction in the rural sections 

 except where the birds are subjected to an unusual amount 

 of persecution. On the whole, the balance of life among 

 the smaller birds seems to be fairly maintained. 



Swallows seem to have diminished somewhat generally, 

 but more especially in and near the cities and larger towns. 

 In the rural districts the cliff, or eave, swallow shows the 

 greatest diminution, and the tree swallow the least. 



Nighthawks have decreased much sectionally. The house 

 wren has become very local, and is now rare or wanting 

 in most localities where it was formerly common. The 

 red-headed woodpecker has practically disappeared as a 

 summer resident. On the other hand, the rose-breasted 

 grosbeak now occupies more territory than formerly, and 

 the robin and bluebird have increased within a few years. 



Information received from other States along the Atlantic 

 seaboard seems to indicate that, as here, shore birds and 

 game birds are decreasing, while the insectivorous birds are, 

 with some exceptions, holding their own. 



