120 BIRD FRIENDS 



With such figures as these at hand it is easy to 

 understand how the passenger pigeon became ex- 

 terminated. The economic status of this species is 

 not known, but the sad fate of the bird shows that 

 any wild bird is in danger of extermination when it 

 is hunted for commercial purposes. 



The Eskimo curlew. The Eskimo curlew is an- 

 other example of an abundant bird rendered nearly 

 extinct through market demand. It was to be found 

 on the Atlantic Coast in enormous flocks up to 

 about fifty years ago. Since that time the bird has 

 gradually disappeared, till now it is seldom seen. 

 A few have been taken in the last three years, but 

 it seems only a matter of a few years till it becomes 

 absolutely extinct. The cause is the same as for 

 the passenger pigeon, continued and unrestricted 

 shooting to meet the market demand. 



Species in danger of extermination. Other birds 

 have been decreasing in numbers at such a rate 

 that they are threatened with extinction unless 

 some radical measures are taken to preserve those 

 that are still left. Following are some of the birds 

 which seem to be most in danger of extermina- 

 tion : Carolina paroquet, whooping crane, trumpeter 

 swan, snowy heron, American egret, woodcock, and 

 many shore-birds, including the golden plover, pec- 

 toral sandpiper, knot, upland plover, willet, and 

 dowitcher. 



Decrease of game-birds. There is general agree- 



