Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-06-26
TO SAVE LAST OF HEATH HENS.
Only 100 Left on the island of Mar
tha's Vineyard.

Only 100 Left on the island of Mar
tha's Vineyard.
Armed with an artificial incubator,
Or. Field, the state fish and game
commissioner, is now preparing, with
the assistance OF the legislature, 10
wage war against destiny and the
old law Of the survival of the httest,
says the Boston journal
Ii will be a scientific battle TO say
the least, but the prize which the c
tor is working for is considered w.3ll
worth it, and the entire scientific
world is awaiting the legislative out
come. 1t nothing more or less than
the continuation of the species OF
heath hen, the only living specimens
in the world which are nov exist
on the island of Martha Vineyard.
Indeed, it is so important that nj
ready public-spirited citizens have
subscribed 81 800 for the work, which
is only contingent on the state legis-
lature allowing $500 more, which
viii make the total necessary.
DR. Field himself is enthusiastic
and positive that he can stop the des
friction in the path of exterminati n
which has been before the birds. 1t
Will be a strange situation when in 4
little shanty hatchery which pro-
poses TO put on the island with tie
flame CT few oil lamps, ne SETS to
work Matching the eggs OF the hilds
and thus setting the species forth
again
There have been plenty OF diseour-
agements Over two years ago DR..
/ Field began to ask legislative atten-
I ton. but somehow it did not have
much effect. This year, though it mas
/ got down to the critical point There
are only 100 of tie birds left and Dr.
! Field is asking the legislature for
| $500 to provide fire stops around
the brooding place and to set the
! preservation machinery in molten.
These are the only living speci
mems Of the heath hen in the world,
said Dr. Field yesterday. There are
1 upward OF 100 individuals now breed
| ing on the island. 1t Is of historical
1 interest that Linneaus, the father Of
/ natural history. made the original
| description OF the prairie chicken
! from this bird 1t is of peculiar inter
| est to citizens of Massachusetts, that
/ the eminent Massachusetts ornitholo-
/ gist, William Brewster of Cambridge,
was the first TO discover that the
| heath hen. then restricted to Mar
tha's Vineyard, differed from the
/ prairie chicken of the Mississippi
valley slightly in size. considerably
culiar feathers on the neck. which
give it the name Of pinnated grouse
The first settlers of the Atlantic
coast found these birds very nuner-
Gus from Cape Ann to Virginia, es-
/ pecially numerous in Massachusetts,
Rhode Island. Connecticut New York,
| New Jersey, and became an import
ant item of food The causes of the
| decline were indjscrimminate shoot
ing and sharing, but particularly for
est fires.
II inhabits the open country, going
into the farming land and gardens to
! feed upon the cutworms, army worms
and other insects injurious to farm
and garden crops The heath hen can
| doubtless be made ar important
| agent in assisting In controlling such
insect pests If 1t could be restored to
the mainland.
SO much local interest has develop
ed that the town of Tisbury at the
| last annual town meeting appropriate
! ed $50, One man, who controls up
ward of 600 acres has offered, IL
the state takes the matter up, to
place the land under its control and
another inhabitant has contributed
500 and is considering the question
of donating to tue state an addition
Of about 800 acres OF land. The legis-
lature is asked il Aouse bill 1926 to as
sit TO the extent Of $4,000.
Some 1885, has been subscribed
| by private Individuals who believe
/ that the preservation of this bird is
/ worthy of consideration. The project
: Is strongly urged by DR.. I. S. Palmer
| of the biological survey of the de-
partment of agriculture at Washing
! ton by President William butcher of
the National Audubon society who
writes that the national society
ready to assist financially or other
wise If needed; by E. H Forbush, the
ornithologist of the Massachusetts
department Of agriculture, VINO has
made a special study of economic or
anthology in Massachusetts; and has
the active Endorsement of the commits
sioners Of fisheries and game.
w. S. Gilbert, the celebrated author