No. 123.] DIVISION OF ORNITHOLOGY. 87 



The Heath Hen. 



Two special trips were made in April in an attempt to take 

 a census of the nearly extinct Heath Hen which is found no- 

 where else in the world except on Marthas Vineyard. It was 

 impossible to take a census in 1920. In 1919 the census indi- 

 cated at least 165 birds. In April, 1921, w^e were able to place 

 314 birds. The impression obtained from the two trips taken 

 was that the number of birds living was considerably larger, 

 possibly in excess of 400. Later, however, the season appeared 

 to be somewhat unfavorable. There were severe and late 

 frosts during the time when the birds were laying their eggs, 

 and ]Mr. Allan Keniston, superintendent of the reservation, 

 believes that these frosts destroyed many of the eggs. The 

 number of young birds seen in summer w^as not so great as 

 might have been expected otherwise. But in other respects 

 the breeding season was favorable, and the census of 1922 

 should show an increase, unless something unforeseen happens 

 in the meantime. 



Exhibitions. 



An exhibition of game birds, wild fowl and shore birds w^as 

 made at the State Building during the Eastern States Ex- 

 position at Springfield, September 18 to 24, 1921. This ex- 

 hibit attracted a great deal of attention and favorable notice. 

 There was an attendance of 246,000 at the exposition. An 

 exhibition of bird enemies of the gypsy moth was made at the 

 Brockton Fair, October 4 to 6, 1921, in connection with an 

 excellent exhibit of the Brockton Audubon Society. The at- 

 tendance was about 250,000. At both these exhibitions liter- 

 ature regarding the protection of birds was distributed. 



Bird Migration and Distribution during the Year.^ 

 December, 1920. 



Our fiscal year begins on December 1. It will be remem- 

 bered that December, 1919, was very inclement. Winter came 

 early. But December, 1920, tells a different story. 



A Mild Month. — On the 15th the weather seemed like 

 spring, the grass was green and flowers were blooming in some 



' A brief summary compiled from reports of divisional observers, and office records. 



