Shells on Union Bay 83 



of the bitterns had been removed. The yellow-throats and the 

 flycatchers would have to move elsewhere. But it was not the 

 removal of the nesting sites which was of the greatest im- 

 portance. 



Man's impact had been severe, if unpremeditated. The 

 greatest harm was that primary requirements of food and 

 shelter had been interfered with. Nobody had realized it; 

 probably nobody would have acted differently if they had 

 known it. The results would be far-reaching. There could be 

 no interference with the principal elements of marsh econ- 

 omy without serious results. In many other parts of the area 

 the result would have been negligible, but unfortunately this 

 had been the key spot. Practically every rare bird that I had 

 listed in the marsh had been observed in this bay. It was 

 not unreasonable to think that from now on few new species 

 of birds would be seen. They had been attracted by the food 

 and the shelter. But the apparently insignificant changes had 

 eliminated much of the cover. Dredging had destroyed the 

 vegetation which sheltered the minnows, the crustaceans, 

 and other animal life so much a part of birds' food and so 

 much desired by them. At least temporarily, the value of the 

 locality as the food center of the marsh was over. It had been 

 an easily available wildlife restaurant but now the restaurant 

 would be closed. It was as if a home garden had been torn 

 up so that all of its fertility was removed. Were there not 

 other spots in the marsh where the visitors would find suit- 

 able conditions? I could think of none which possessed so 

 many advantages. But a philosophical attitude is much better 

 than one of pessimism. If the area is destined to disappear 

 as a marsh and become a brushed and combed addition to 

 the district, the changes will have little effect on the general 

 situation. If, on the other hand, enough of the public feels 

 that there is a real need for, and value in, such self-support- 

 ing natural museums, no harm has been done which cannot 



