HEATH HEN GONE?

Forest and Bird, Issue 26, 1 March 1932, Page 3

HEATH HEN GONE?

“The last heath hen on earth has not been seen since 9th May, and there is strong probability that this once numerous species has finally gone to absolute extinction,” Prof. Alfred O. Gross, of Bowdoin College, who for a number of years has issued all official reports on the heath hen, announced at the annual American Game Conference.

Dr. Gross said that never before has so much time elapsed without the bird’s being glimpsed by attendants on Martha’s Vineyard Island, Massachusetts, where final efforts were made to save the heath hen race and where for nearly four years the last survivor existed alone.

If the scientist’s fears are correct, metal leg bands which he placed on the bird during his survey in May should help investigators to learn how the heath hen cock met its fate. Dr. Gross described the heath hen as “the outstanding wildlife martyr of all time.” He said that the wide publicity given the “last bird” has fired the imagination and aroused public interest in conservation as nothing else ever did.

“The going of the heath hen has awakened sportsmen to the fact that other game birds will be in danger if we continue as we have in the past. Because of this awakening game research has splendid support in America to-day.

“Had we known 50 years ago what we know to-day about diseases and parasites, methods of rearing grouse in captivity and various important facts concerning the biology of the grouse, the heath hen would undoubtedly have been saved from extinction,” he said. “As it is, the heath hen has passed on, but in going has saved other species.” —American Game.