BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 355 



Now it almost has disappeared as a breeder from great stretches 

 of sea-coast, from Maine to New Jersey at least, although still 

 seen locally, but rarely in numbers exceeding two or three 

 pairs. In the migrations, however, it is more or less common 

 locally. The following notes give convincing evidence of its 

 former abundance and recent decrease: Very abundant on 

 the low sandy shores of our whole sea-coast during the sum- 

 mer (Wilson, 1813). Common inhabitant of our sea-coast 

 from New Jersey to Nova Scotia (Nuttall, 1834). Breeds 

 on all the eastern coast of the United States that is adapted to 

 its habits (Audubon, 1835). Found along our whole coast in 

 summer (Peabody, 1839). Common summer resident; breeds 

 abundantly on sandy shores (Maynard, eastern Massachusetts, 

 1870). Pretty abundantly distributed along coast of New 

 England as summer resident (Samuels, 1870). Common 

 summer bird of New England coast (Coues, 1874). Common 

 summer resident along coast (J. A. Allen, Massachusetts, 

 1879). From many of our beaches in New England and New 

 Jersey this Plover has been driven (Brewer, 1884). Formerly 

 common in August and September (Brewster, Cambridge 

 region, 1906). Formerly breeding on west coast of Maine, 

 now rare migrant (Knight, 1908). Uncommon migrant and 

 summer resident coastwise (G. M. Allen, Massachusetts, 

 Rhode Island and Connecticut, 1909). Common on Long 

 Island in Giraud's time; now limited as a breeder to a few 

 localities (Eaton, New York, 1910). 



Only four of my correspondents find the species increasing 

 anywhere, and the increase given is slight, except by one man 

 in Barnstable County, who finds an increase of fifty per cent, 

 since the law was passed in Massachusetts protecting this 

 bird at all times. Forty find it decreasing. Most of the 

 others never have seen it. Legalized shooting of shore birds 

 after July 15 in several of the Atlantic coast States is respon- 

 sible largely for the great diminution and the threatened 

 extinction of this species on this coast. In August I have seen 

 the downy young, only a few days from the egg, running 

 along the beach, while men and boys who ought to have 

 "known better" were engaged in the pleasant (and then 



