24 
locality, but that individual species fluctuated, some years 
particular birds being numerous, while others which seem to 
be subjected to about the same perils are rare.” 
As an epitome of bird life, and the contrasting conditions 
affecting it in the city and country, Dr. Woodward’s report 
is noteworthy. The main causes of the decrease of birds in 
the city are exhibited, and the reduction of the birds in the 
city with their comparative abundance in the near-by coun- 
try is made plain. In the one case the birds were subjected 
to city influences; in the other they were protected from 
them, and given opportunity for breeding. The results in 
the latter case are obvious. A notable effect of the June 
storms of 1903 is apparent in the diminution of tree swal- 
lows, the extermination of the martins, and possibly also 
in the decrease of the whip-poor-wills, red-wings and king- 
birds. The fluctuations of species from year to year may 
be owing to natural causes, operative everywhere, or to the 
malign influences emanating from the city not far away. 
He offers no explanation, but states the facts. They form 
the text for a treatise on bird protection. 
In the development of our civilization there have been 
evolved or introduced certain influences destructive to bird 
life, such as trolley cars, improved firearms and the English 
sparrow. Taking such forces into consideration, together 
with the growth of cities, it is probable that we now have 
fewer of the smaller native birds in the State than forty 
years ago. Many of the larger species have been decreasing 
steadily. Along the coasts and in the densely populated 
regions, game birds, many shore birds and some water 
fowl have lessened to such an extent that they are evi- 
dently doomed to extermination, unless better protected. So 
far I must agree with those who believe that our birds 
are being extirpated. But we must guard against too much 
pessimism. It is quite natural to remember the times in 
our youth when birds were very numerous, and forget the 
seasons when they were comparatively few. So one remem- 
bers the cold winters and severe snowstorms of his childhood, 
and forgets the mild seasons. Similarly, it seems, as we 
