PINNATED GROUSE 229 



killed by the hen. The hen was subsequently given 

 some pheasant eggs, and hatched them and reared the 

 chicks with all possible care. 



That this bird possesses a high interest, not only 

 for the sportsman, but because it is now on the very 

 point of extinction, is obvious. Much has been said 

 and written about its preservation, but the credit for 

 setting on foot a movement which it is hoped may pre- 

 vent the extermination of the species is due to Mr. J. E. 

 Howland. He urged the importance of the situation 

 on the Massachusetts commission, and a permanent 

 guardian was located in the region inhabited by the 

 birds to study their habits and enforce the law. Some- 

 what later, Representative Mayhew introduced a bill 

 into the General Court, placing under the use and 

 control of the commission such lands as may be do- 

 nated, leased, purchased or otherwise placed under 

 temporary or permanent control, as a refuge and breed- 

 ing area for the heath hen. A number of individuals 

 have subscribed money to enable the commission to take 

 advantage of this law, and about sixteen hundred acres 

 have been placed under special protection. The Massa- 

 chusetts legislature has authorized the commissioners 

 to take such unimproved lands upon Martha's Vine- 

 yard not exceeding one thousand acres as they may 

 deem necessary for the purpose of making fire stops 

 for the protection from fire of the feeding and breed- 

 ing grounds of the pinnated grouse, or of otherwise 

 securing the maintenance and increase of such pinnated 

 grouse or of any other species of wild birds upon said 



