45 
in the east, and needs the most stringent protection. Of 
thirty-eight Massachusetts reports, thirty-six state that wood- 
cock are decreasing, rare or extinct, while one states that 
they are holding their own, and one that they are increasing 
slightly since the law was passed prohibiting their sale. 
These reports refer mainly to birds breeding in Massachu- 
setts. In the fall of 1904, in a few sections, there was a 
good flight of birds from the north. 1 
Family Tetraonidce. — Grouse and Partridges. 
Mention already has been made of the bob-white or quail, 
our only representative of the partridge family, as a sufferer 
from the effects of the winter of 1903. Another severe win- 
ter followed the hunting season of 1904, and the quail now 
needs more protection. The heath hen, formerly common 
over much of Hew England and the middle States, has been 
extirpated everywhere within the last century except in Mar- 
tha’s Vineyard. Dr. J. A. Allen says that prairie chickens 
were introduced there, 2 but, if so, they have probably died 
out as they have in other places in the east. The heath hen 
is a hardy bird, and possibly might be propagated, and, under 
protection, restored to our woodlands. 3 
The ruffed grouse, or partridge, the king of all our game 
birds, has decreased greatly in numbers over most of the 
State within the last half-century. Ho doubt there are gun- 
ners who kill nearly as many birds now as were killed by 
individuals fifty years ago, but those who do this do it by 
covering a great deal more ground than was necessary then, 
and they are merely bringing the birds nearer to extermina- 
tion. The decrease is estimated at from 50 to 75 per cent. 
Eorty-six observers report the grouse as diminishing in num- 
bers, three say grouse are holding their own, while only five 
report an increase. The species is extremely hardy, and, 
naturally, its increase is affected only by disease and the most 
severe and unusual inclemencies of the weather. 
1 Since the above was written, reports of an increase of breeding birds have come in 
from Worcester and Middlesex counties. In the fall of 1908 there was a good flight of 
woodcock in eastern Massachusetts, probably due to a good breeding season in northern 
Maine and New Brunswick. 
2 “Memorial History of Boston,” Vol. 1, p. 12. 
3 An attempt is now being made to do this. (See page 115.) 
