18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



with the wild fowl of Barnegat Bay for some years past, sends 

 me the following as his opinion of the relative abundance of the 

 Bay species for the past ten years: 



Brant, Black Duck, Canada Goose and Broadbill regular and 

 abundant. 



Redhead abundant at times, apparently more plentiful dur- 

 ing the past three years. 



Goldeneye (Whistler) fairly plenty, but never in large flocks. 



Shelldrake regular, often till late in April. 



Old Squaw and Butter Ball more or less regular. 



Canvasback and Hooded Merganser, one record of each. 



These lists are given to show how opinions of equally reliable 

 men may vary in some respects. I have other lists which are 

 obviously based more upon memory and hearsay than upon 

 present conditions, and hence are worthless for comparison. 



There seems to be no question but that there has been an in- 

 crease of ducks within the past few years. Furthermore, the 

 increase is due largely to the stopping of spring shooting north 

 of New Jersey. The refusal of this and other states to stop 

 shooting ducks on January 1st will certainly practically exter- 

 minate many of the remaining species in another generation 

 unless all migratory birds be placed under the protection of the 

 national government, for which a movement is now under way. 

 — WiTMER Stone. 



