536 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



The Chief Causes of the Reduction in Birds'' Numbers. 



Most important of all is man, — sportsmen, Italians and 

 other foreigners, bird shooters and trappers, market hunt- 

 ers, boy gunners, Qg^ collectors, and certain changes inci- 

 dent to an increase of population. 



Secondary Causes of Bird Diminution. 



JSTatwal Enemies. — These do not, under natural condi- 

 tions, reduce the numbers of birds, as they protect the spe- 

 cies on which they prey ; but certain introduced species have 

 become very harmful. The domestic cat and the English 

 sparrow (the sparroAV in particular) are mainly responsible 

 for the disappearance of swallows, wrens and other species 

 near the cities. The sparrow, while not now increasing in 

 or near Suffolk County, seems to be increasing and spread- 

 ing in the country districts. If this continues, a further 

 diminution in the numbers of native birds is likely to result. 



Native natural enemies of birds may become harmful when 

 protected by man from their own enemies. We have pro- 

 tected crows and foxes in some measure by destroying the 

 larger birds and mammals which fed on them, and they have 

 become numerous enough in some localities to be injurious 

 to the already reduced game birds and the song birds. 



Suggestions for the Better Protection of Birds. 

 First and most important, teach the people the economic 

 value of birds, and show the consequences that are likely to 

 follow their extirpation. This should begin in the schools, 

 by interesting the children in the lives of birds, teaching 

 their usefulness, and how to feed, shelter and protect them. 

 The children should also be instructed in regard to the laws 

 protecting birds, and be taught to respect them. The bird 

 and game laws must be enforced, even if it requires larger 

 appropriations for the Fish and Game Commission,, with the 

 appointment of more paid deputies. In this connection a 

 law licensing shooters, the license fees to be applied to the 

 enforcement of the game laws, may be Avorth considering. 

 The officers of the Fish and Game Commission should be 



