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reduction in the rural sections, except where the birds are 
subjected to an unusual amount of persecution; elsewhere, 
the balance of life among the smaller birds generally seems 
to be fairly maintained. 
Swallows seem to have diminished, more especially in and 
near the cities and larger towns. In the rural districts the 
cliff or eaves swallow shows the greatest diminution, and 
the tree swallow the least. 
Nighthawks have decreased much sectionally. The house 
wren has become very local, and is now rare or wanting in 
most localities where it was formerly common. The red- 
headed woodpecker practically has disappeared as a summer 
resident. On the other hand, the rose-breasted grosbeak now 
occupies more territory than formerly, and the robin and 
bluebird have increased within a few years. 
Information received from other States along the Atlantic 
seaboard seems to indicate that there, as here, shore birds 
and game birds are decreasing, while the insectivorous birds 
are, with some exceptions, holding their own. 
The Chief Causes of the Reduction in Birds' Numbers. 
Most important of all is man, — sportsmen, Italians and 
other foreigners, bird shooters and trappers, market hunt- 
ers, boy gunners, egg collectors, and certain changes inci- 
dent to an increase of population. 
Secondary Causes of Bird Diminution. 
Natural Enemies. — These do not, under natural condi- 
tions, reduce the numbers of birds, as they protect the spe- 
cies on which they prey; but certain introduced species have 
become very harmful. The domestic cat and the English 
sparrow (the sparrow in particular) are mainly responsible 
for the disappearance of swallows, wrens and other species 
near the cities. The sparrow, while not now increasing in 
or near Suffolk County, seems to be increasing and spread- 
ing in the country towns. If this continues, a further 
diminution in the numbers of. native birds is likely to result. 
Native natural enemies of birds may become harmful when 
