40 CIVIC BIOLOGY 



snakes, they are, on account of this value, accorded the protec- 

 tion of the law in Massachusetts. As examples we may take : 



Night heron Nycticorax ndvius a generally common species. 



Snowy egret Egretta candidissima a Southern species, but one 

 which ought to be known to every American North and South, in 

 order to save it from extermination by the milliners. 



Order Limicote (limits, "mud"; colere, "to dwell") shore 

 birds. Many of these birds of our marshes and muddy shores, 

 wet brook beds, and upland pastures, merit protection on ac- 

 count of their valuable service as insect destroyers, and also 

 because of the imminent danger of extermination in which 

 several of the best species stand. The argument given for the 

 wood duck applies with more than double force to the wood- 

 cock, because the former produces from eight to fourteen eggs 

 to the woodcock's four. The same preserves would serve for 

 the waterfowl and shore birds as well. Several of the plover are 

 in great need of protection, but the five species that follow 

 are possibly all we can, begin with, and will serve to illustrate 

 the problems of the group: 



Woodcock Phildhela minor. Spotted sandpiper A c.tilis macttldrta. 



Wilson snipe Gallindgo delicdta. Eskimo curlew Numeniu* boreal!*. 



( I olden plover Charddrius dominicus. 



Order Gallirue (gallus, "a cock") grouse, pheasants. The 

 problem in regard to all the birds of this order is again that of 

 protecting those that remain, and of reestablishing in their 

 original ranges such species as have already been exterminated 

 from certain regions. Were it not for stray and uncontrolled 

 cats we could make town and city parks in fact, the limits 

 of all villages, towns, and even cities preserves for grouse 

 and waterfowl. We could in this way place them where the 

 greatest number might enjoy seeing and hearing them ; while 

 a constant supply would overflow the preserve limits for our 

 sportsmen. Special problems occur with each of the five follow- 

 ing types suggested for study. 



