CONSERVATION OF GAME BIRDS. 507 



warrant. (If all those who filled out the blanks had stated 

 the time during which they had observed that each bird had 

 increased or held its own it would have been possible to present 

 this phase of the subject more satisfactorily.) 



4. There was no space provided in the information blanks 

 in which to record certain species as extirpated or extinct in 

 the region reported on. Had such a space been provided, there 

 is reason to believe it would have shown results. 



5. The reports of decrease usually refer to long periods, 

 while those of increase mostly refer to brief, recent periods, and, 

 in some cases, they may record mere ordinary local fluctuations 

 in numbers. There is nothing in the table to show this. 



6. When a species is not reported there is no way in which 

 to determine whether it is absent or merely overlooked. In 

 nearly all cases the number not reporting each species is large. 

 In general, this indicates that the species is not found, or is 

 rarely found over a large part of the State, but there is no in- 

 formation as to whether it was found there formerly. Un- 

 doubtedly many of these species were found formerly where 

 now they are absent, but the table does not show this. 



The observers not reporting on the American Merganser, 

 the Black Duck, the Blue-winged Teal and the Wood Duck 

 number one hundred and ninety-four, one hundred and 

 seventy-five, one hundred and forty-eight and one hundred and 

 eighteen respectively. As these birds formerly were common 

 throughout most of the Commonwealth, these negative re- 

 ports are significant. On the other hand, the fact that two 

 hundred and twenty-three observers do not report the Eider 

 is not so significant, as the Eider always was rare inland. 



The Ruffed Grouse is reported from nearly all parts of 

 the State and by all but six correspondents, while all but 

 thirteen report on the Bob-white. This is encouraging, as it 

 shows that the reduced breeding stock is widely distributed, 

 and that these popular game birds normally occupy most of 



the State. 



An examination of the reports of those who find species 

 increasing in numbers shows that twenty-seven come from 

 men who have had less than ten years' experience. This is 



