48 
Family Corvidae. — Crows and Jays. 
Crows are reported to be diminishing by only four ob- 
servers and increasing by eighteen. Eleven of the latter 
come from west of Worcester County, which may indicate 
that crows are increasing somewhat in the western counties, 
as those making reports from that region are much fewer 
than those from the eastern part of the State. The blue jay, 
while decreasing locally, seems generally to hold its own. 
Most of the birds, other than those already reported on, 
are such as are generally included by our law-makers under 
the head of 
Song and Insectivorous Birds. 
After careful study of the detailed reports received on 
many species, it is impossible to escape the belief that cer- 
tain of the smaller birds have decreased in, or disappeared 
from, some densely populated regions. It is quite evident 
that in some cases a recent diminution in numbers was caused 
by the unfavorable weather conditions of 1904, and that, ex- 
cept for this cause, no decrease would have been noted. Wher- 
ever enough reports regarding any family or species have 
been received to warrant drawing conclusions, they will be 
given. 
In regard to the cuckoos, kingfishers and woodpeckers 
there is not sufficient evidence on which to base anything 
more than an assumption that they are in general maintain- 
ing their former status. The northern flicker, gaffer wood- 
pecker, high-hole, pigeon woodpecker or “ wood pigeon ” is 
believed by some to be diminishing rapidly, and this is prob- 
ably true in some localities, but generally its numbers are 
being well maintained. Twelve observers report it as di- 
minishing ; twenty-four, as holding its own ; and twelve, as in- 
creasing. Eour of the reports showing a decrease are from 
southeastern Massachusetts, and the cause attributed is the 
hard winter of 1903-04. Six of the others came from re- 
gions in Middlesex County where the birds have decreased 
from palpable causes. 
