Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-01-17

information in forthcoming pubIica-
ton, under the direction of the Mass
achusetts state board OF agriculture,
prepared by Edward Howe Forbush,
an expert entomologist During the
recent session OF the legislature,
many petitions were presented from
members of the Audubon society and
others, for the publication OF the
mass of material which Mr.. Forbusn
had gathered Wide interest was
shown all over the state, and the
consequence was that the publica-
ton was authorized. This informa-
ton was obtained from many scores
Of correspondents, observing men and
women in many cities and towns, ano
additional information has been
added from correspondents in other
New England and adjoining states.
Besides the general statements, there
is a large amount of local informa-
ton, so that the publication, as a
whole, will be of large value TO those
who are interested in our BIRDS,
whether they are hunters. looking Tor
more game TO slaughter or merciful
women, trying to prevent the opera
tons of the hunters.
The first topic discussed is the de-
struction of birds by the elements.
Regarding the supposed erect of the
storms last year. the pamphlet says:
In glancing over the reports for
1904, 1t becomes evident at once that
the destruction OF eggs and nestlings
by the June storms Oh 1903 caused no
great noticeable and generally op-
served decrease OF many species in
1904 This may be accounted for in
part b. the fact Cd that some of the
species affected rear more than one
brood In season, and so were able
TO bring up Young either before or
AFTER the storms; ana in part by the
theory W that large share of the
young birds reared each season never
return from their southern Journey
out succumb TO acciuents and fatat
Ties on the way; Therefore a grea,
mortality among the nestlings of one
season only may not have n very
noticeable effect the succeeding wear
me report takes up the cases ot
warblers, chimney swifts, ed.wingea
oiackbirds, bobolinlSs, night hawk,
ana Others, noting their reported de-
cine' Martins are disappearing mr.
corning to competent observers. Nex,
comes mention OF the early abuna.
ahce OF birds In Massachusetts, ana
the extracts from the early descrip-
IONS make 1t evident that our forests
and ponds were teeming with bird.
NE In a profusion To which we are.
no utter strangers. The summary or
the present situation. as given by the
ainerent correspondents, Is as FOL.
lows:
Ninety-four correspondents report
BIRDS as decreasing; only sixty.two
report them as either nolding their
own or increasing Ii we add to TINS
number, however, the twenty who re-.
gard game birds or other larger
species as diminishing. and song
birds or the smaller species az sta.
tionary or increasing. we shall nave
eightytwo who believe that the
smaller species are either stationar,
or increasing. against ninety-four
who believe al birds are decreasing
Next. we find that forty-three who re.
port birds as rapidly diminishing live
in or near the larger cities. where
the principal causes OF this diminu.
ton are most active. There are
then. only ifty-one persons. outside
OF the influence OF the cities, who md
birds generally decreasing. to eighty.
two who find the smaller birds Al
least holding their own. This being
the case. II seems probable that the
smaller birus In general have not de.
creased greatly in Massachusetts, IS
whole. in recent years, except in
and near the centers OF population.
Undoubtedly there are fluctuations in
the numbers OF certain species over
large areas There are also local
fluctuations in the numbers OF most
species. Certain birds will be rare
in locality for year or two. ana
then, perhaps. plentiful again. The
reports plainly show such oscillations,
but Il may be doubted IL there Is any
great and general decrease In ali
the smaller Species
Expert evidence from the different
counties is then given in profusion.
including Nantucket, Bristol, ply.
mouth. Norfolk, suffolk. Essex. Mid.
dlesex. Worcester. Hampshire. hamp-
den and Berkshire. followed by some
outside Of the sta,e The Sunolk
County mention is as follows:
"Mr Homer Lane Bigelow OF Bos-
ton says that from 1883 to 1Ss. there
was an annual decrease. but since
then. with exceptions q. e.. lsosl,
there has been gradual increase. Mr.