The Heath Hen

( Originally Published Early 1900's )

(T. cupido), the only remaining species, was formerly found in southern New England, Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc., but is now entirely confined to the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and within an area of forty square miles. In the spring of 1890, Mr. Brewster estimated that the total number of birds could hardly exceed two hundred,-and it is understood that this number has since been still further reduced, perhaps almost to the point of extermination. Unlike the principal species, they are "mainly, if not exclusively, confined to the woods, haunting oak scrub by preference and feeding largely on acorns."