Heath Hen Reports by the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England
Content Description
The heath hen (Tympanuchus cupido cupido) is a now extinct subspecies of the greater prairie chicken. While at one point extremely common, the birds became locally extinct on the mainland and only existed on Martha's Vineyard by the late 1800s. The continuing decline was noticed by ornithologist Alfred Otto Gross, who reported his observations to the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England in 1925. The Federation then took immediate action to try to preserve the remaining birds through public awareness and establishing a warden on Martha's Vineyard to protect the birds, which is documented in this collection through meeting minutes, letters, newspaper clippings, and reports of the wardens on Martha's Vineyard working to protect the heath hen and stop its many predators. Ultimately, the efforts failed and the last heath hen died in 1932.
Dates
- 1925 - 1933
- Majority of material found within 1925 - 1926
Creator
- Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for use. Some materials are fragile and require special care instructions.
Conditions Governing Use
Some materials are in the public domain, but other materials are still under copyright by other individuals and organizations. The researcher assumes all responsibility for identifying copyright holders and attaining permission for reproduction.
Biographical / Historical
The Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England formed in 1924 as a collection of bird clubs from across New England. Focusing on bird conservation in the region, the Federation purchased land for wildlife sanctuaries including Egg Rock and Plum Island. The Federation ended by the end of the 1930s. Laurence B. (L.B.) Fletcher was secretary of the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England, the executive secretary and director of the Trustees of Reservations, an officer of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the old Massachusetts Fish and Game Association, the Children's Museum, the Boston Society of Natural History (now the Museum of Science), and other environmental and community organizations. Edward McLeod was employed by the Committee on Vermin Control for the Protection of the Heath Hen to live on Martha's Vineyard and report sightings of the heath hen, trap predatory vermin, and perform other conservation attempts.
Extent
0.24 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Gifted to the Boston Society of Natural History (to President Charles Taylor), May 5, 1933, by Laurence B. Fletcher on behalf of the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England.
Accruals
None are expected
Processing Information
Emily Buff (Archives Management Graduate Intern); the reports, in folders, were removed from their original binders due to condition and lack of functionality. Materials were found together in storage with copies of Martha's Vineyard Gazette on the same topic.
Creator
- Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England (Organization)
- Fletcher, Laurence B. (Person)
- McLeod, Edward (Person)
- Title
- Heath Hen Reports by the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Emily Buff (Archives Management Graduate Intern)
- Date
- October 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Museum of Science, Boston Archives Repository