10 Decrease of Birds , 



General Decrease. 



One hundred, and nine reports show that birds are 

 decreasing generally, following the decrease all over the 

 country. Sixteen reports show decrease of certain species 

 only, mostly game birds; sixteen, birds as holding their 

 own and ten, birds as increasing, three report not 

 knowing. 



Most of the reports on the decrease of game birds come 

 from hunters, who, because of their knowledge of these 

 species are more competent to report on them. In addition 

 to the game birds reported as decreasing, viz: Bob-white, 

 CaroHna Dove, Woodcock, Killdeer, Wood Duck, Wilson's 

 Snipe and Wild Turkey, almost every report contained a 

 list of species estimated to be either decreasing or increas- 

 ing. A very careful study of these exceptions shows the 

 decrease of a great many other species, the stationary 

 condition of a few and a shght increase in a few others. 

 The conclusion is reached that the reports stand for a 

 much greater general decrease than is brought out in the 

 table. 



Expert Evidence of Decrease 



The two expert ornithologists who have furnished data 

 for this report are, Mr. Arthur Trezevant Wayne, Mount 

 Pleasant, S. C, and Dr. Eugene Edmund Murphey, 

 Augusta, Ga. Mr. Wayne has been almost continuously 

 in the field for more than thirty years, and has worked the 

 coast counties south of Georgetown county. His valuable 

 book, "Birds of South Carolina," published by the Charles- 

 ton Museum in 1910, is quoted from freely in this bulletin. 



For twenty-five years Dr. Murphey has studied the 

 counties of Aiken, Barnwell and Edgefield. What these 

 authorities say may be considered authoritative, and an 

 evidence of the correctness and value of the reports from 

 observers of less experience in these locahties is shown by 

 the closeness with which their reports agree with the data 

 furnished by Mr. Wayne and Dr. Murphey. 



Mr. Wayne reports: "Doves, Woodcock, Wild Turkeys,. 



