Tvra'pariuohus cui'>ldo . 
1897. own direct interest in the preservation of the birds. 
Dec. 30. In illustration of the laxity of local morals on this part 
(No. 4). ticular question Ivlr .Hoyle tells the following story:- 
On one occasion a few years since he went after Heath 
Hens in company with his Vineyard friend. Just as they were 
leaving the village they met the local gaaue warden who ashed 
what they were going after. Hoyle's friend boldly answered, 
"Heath Hens". "Hope you'll get some", replied the faithful 
warden. On their return at evening they again met the warden 
j 
! who inquired as to their success and on being told that they 
I 
I had shot two Heath Hens ashed to see them. Hr.Hoyle's com- 
I 
i 
I panion at once produced them when the warden, sraoothing their 
i 
! 
I feathers lovingly, remarhed, "Nice birds , if you get any more 
i 
i 
j than you want send them up to my house" 1 
I 
j 
I The centre of distrubutlon of the Heath Hen on Martha's 
! 
I Vineyard, according to lir. Hoyle, has always been the open 
i 
j plains (more or less covered by low oah scrub ) near the vil- 
lage of 7/est Tisbury. Into the taller oah woods they seldom 
wandered, he thinhs, excepting in cold windy v/eather in win- 
ter. Their favorite food was the leaves of the sorrel which 
j abounds on these plains. 
