88 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. \_\L\. 



this station were on duty prior to, and for one month after the 

 arrival of the birds, and probably as a consequence prevented 

 them from using their old haunt for breeding purposes. An 

 interesting question is, Where have these Muskeget birds gone ? 

 The figures show a decrease this season for all the other breeding 

 grounds in Muskeget waters. I have not before noted fewer birds 

 since the first few years when private protection was extended 

 to them. 



" The coming winter in Massachusetts promises to be as pro- 

 lific of legislative schemes, good, bad and indifferent, as was last 

 winter, and it requires experienced persons to give their time 

 and attention to the same. I would respectfully suggest that 

 whoever represents your Committee should be empowered by 

 vote at the coming meeting of the American Ornithologists' 

 Union to act for and represent absolutely the society in New 

 England in all matters relating to bird protection and bird legis- 

 lation. It is clearly impossible to present each matter in detail 

 to the Committee for consideration, for the conditions are con- 

 stantly changing. I see no other course for the American Orni- 

 thologists' Union, if it desires to maintain its present, and advance 

 its future influence. 



" In Massachusetts there has been heretofore two powerful 

 factors in bird legislation, especially that affecting game birds, 

 viz., the Fish and Game Protection Association, and the market- 

 men and cold storage interests. It seems to be acknowledged 

 that a third interest has been added, viz., the American Orni- 

 thologists' Union. 



" Since spring shooting was prohibited in Massachusetts, Black- 

 bellied Plovers, or Beetle Heads, as the young are called, have 

 continued to increase in numbers, both in spring and autumn. 

 This gain was noticeable in 1890, since which time large gains 

 have been observed. I wish to call the attention of our west- 

 ern associates living in the States of Nebraska, Missouri (St. 

 Louis), and Texas (Fort Worth), that parties there have been 

 for a number of years killing and shipping thousands of Golden 

 Plovers, Eskimo Curlews, and Bartramian Sandpipers in the 

 spring, at the period when these birds are passing northward 

 to their breeding grounds, many of them having eggs in the 



