THE DECREASE OF CERTAIN BIRDS, AND ITS CAUSES, 

 WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR BIRD PROTECTION. 



BY EDAVARD HOWE FOKBUSH, OKNITIIOLOGIST TO THE BOARD. 



In the i)iirsuit of an inquiiy regard iiipf 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 Avas asserted 

 by correspondents that the extermination of certain species 

 was already inmiinent, and that many others were rapidly 

 decreasing in numbers. The secretar}' of the Board, u})on 

 being informed of this evidence, authorized an investigation 

 of the alleged decrease and threatened extirpation of useful 

 birds, Avith a view to determine what species had suffered 

 most, and Avhether it would be practicable to furnish them 

 better protection. Four hundred circulars rc(]uesting infor- 

 mation Avere prepared and sent out in July. They Avere 

 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 generall}'. 



It Avas intended to compile the evidence, Avhen 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 i)repare a 

 special report on the subject. 



Some of the circulars returned contained little informa- 

 lion, but two hundred and seventeen of them furnished data 

 of more or less value. ScA'eral correspondents sent excel- 

 lent annotated local lists. About one hundred letters also 



