1890 the ornithologist William Brewster ascertained that there 

 were only about 200 heath-hens living on the island. They 

 have since been given some special attention by a game warden 

 and the losses due to game enemies, fires and other causes have 

 been checked somewhat. The birds are said to respond slowly 

 to this protection, but their numbers are reported to be in- 

 creasing. A few skilled game keepers devoting their entire 

 attention to the protection of these birds soon would reduce 

 the hawks and the cats and other enemies and the increase in 

 numbers undoubtedly would be rapid because the destruction 

 of each enemy would mean the saving of many birds. 



The bird is especially desirable since it thrives on the scrub 

 oak lands of the Eastern states and it might be restored in 

 places where no game of any kind now occurs. At present 

 it is of no value to sport and, of course, it no longer is eaten. 

 Since it was formerly sufficiently abundant to sell for only a 

 few cents in the markets, it is evident that it can be made 

 profitably plentiful now that all meats are dear. 



The foods of the heath-hen, as given by the earlier ornitholo- 

 gists, are the bayberry, which abounds in many parts of Martha's 

 Vineyard, the partridge berry, cranberry, rose hips, acorns, and 

 pine and alder buds. There are many places where these foods 

 are sufficiently plentiful to support a good head of heath-hens 

 and it is to be hoped they may be restored to their former range. 



Inspecting Heath Irten County 

 33 



