No. 4.] DECREASE OF BIRDS. 4()9 



in Martha's Vineyard. Dr. J. A. Allen says that })rairie 

 chickens were introduced there,* but, if so, the}' have prol)- 

 ably died out as they have in other places in the east. The 

 heath hen is a hardy bird, and possibly might be propagated, 

 and, under protection, restored to our woodlands. 



The ruffed grouse, or partridge, the king of all our game 

 birds, has decreased greatly in numbers over most of the 

 State within the last half-century. No doubt there are gun- 

 ners who kill nearly as many birds now as were killed by 

 individuals fifty years ago, but those who do this do it by 

 covering a oreat deal more o-round than was necessary then, 

 and they are merely bringing the birds nearer to extermina- 

 tion. The decrease is estimated at from 50 to 75 per cent. 

 Forty-six observers report the grouse as diminishing in 

 numbers, three say grouse are holding their OAvn, while only 

 five report an increase. The species is extremely hardy, 

 and, naturally, its increase is affected by only the most 

 severe and unusual inclemencies of the weather. 



Fmnily Colmhbidoe. — Pigeons and Doves. 



The wild, or passenger, pigeon, once so abundant here, 

 is now practically extirpated. It is of interest to note a re- 

 cent report of the occurrence of the passenger pigeon, which 

 seems to be authentic. Mr. Clayton E. Stone of Lunen- 

 burg reports seeing a flock of twenty-three birds there on 

 May 6, 1896. Another instance is mentioned in. the report 

 of the Massachusetts Fish and Game Commission for 1903. 



The mourning dove is reported as decreasing, rare or 

 extinct hy thirty-nine observers ; a few others report it as 

 wanting in their localities, or as unchanged in numbers. 

 These reports come from every county in the State except 

 Dukes, Nantucket and Franklin, from which no report on 

 this bird has been received. The only cases of increase are 

 reported from Bristol and Worcester counties. Miss Agnes 

 G. Barnes of Plymouth says the species is increasing, aftci- 

 almost total extinction. Miss Abbie Churchill of Fitclihurg 

 says the bird has been seen recently "for the first time" at 

 Fitchburg. Col. J. E. Thayer says the doves are increasing 

 at Lancaster, and S. F. Stockwell says they are scarce but 



* " Memorial liistory of Boston," Vol. 1, p. 12. 



