in South Carolina 13 



twenty to thirty each in an afternoon. Last summer I 

 counted only thirteen. Where I have seen Robins by the 

 hundreds or even thousands, I hardly see them by the 

 dozens now. Cedar Waxwings, Snowbirds, Chipping Spar- 

 rows, Flickers, Woodpeckers, Swallows, Martins, Chuck- 

 will's-widows, and others greatly decreased. As for 

 ducks, we have none except the Wood Duck. These with 

 Woodcock and Wilson's Snipe are nearing extermination. " 



Length of Time of Decrease 



As regards the length of time the decrease has been 

 continuing, reports from 95 observers have been tabulated 

 thus: 



38 Report Decrease Continuing for 20 Years. 

 24 " " " " 40 



18 " " " " 30 



12 " " " " 15 



4 . " " " " 25 



It is probable that the decrease kas been going on 

 thruout the period of observation of those making the 

 reports, and from these figures it is impossible to make 

 any deductions as to the average length of time the 

 decrease has been continuing in the State as a whole. 



Species Extinct or Nearing Extinction 



Scientists believe that each and every species of birds 

 has its own particular work to do in nature which cannot 

 be so well done by any other species. A species once 

 extinct is never again reproduced in nature. Therefore 

 the destruction of a species is a very serious matter. 



Ornithologists generally report the following species as 

 having become extinct since the settlement of the State: 

 Carolina Paroquet, Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Eskimo Cur- 

 lew, and Passenger Pigeon. The range of the Carolina 

 Paroquet extended as far north as the Great Lakes and as 

 far west as Colorado. They were exceedingly abundant 

 but now all are gone. The large, handsome Ivory-billed 

 Woodpecker has been exterminated in this State. The 

 Pileated, which is often mistaken for it, is also fast dis 



