Page 64 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

CHAPTER V
THE EXTERMINATION OF SPECIES, STATE BY STATE
Early in 1912 I addressed to about 250 persons throughout the United States, three questions, as follows:
1. What species of birds have become totally extinct in your state?
2. What species of birds and mammals are threatened with early extinction?
3. What species of mammals have been exterminated throughout your state?
These queries were addressed to persons whose tastes and observa- tions rendered them especially qualified to furnish the information de- sired. The interest shown in the inquiry was highly gratifying. The best of the information given is summarized below; but this tabulation alsoincludesmuchinformationacquiredfromothersources. Thegen- eral summary of the subject will, I am sure, convince all thoughtful per- sons that the present condition of the best wild life of the nation is in- deed very grave. This list is not submitted as representing prolonged research or absolute perfection, but it is sufficient to point forty-eight morals.
Birds and Mammals That Have Been Totally Exterminated in Various States and Provinces
Alabama:
Passenger pigeon, Carolina parrakeet; puma, elk, gray wolf, beaver.
Arizona:
Ridgway's quail {Colinus ridgwayi); Arizona elk {Cervus merriami), bison.
Arkansas:
Passenger pigeon, Carolina parrakeet, whooping crane; bison, elk, beaver.
California:
No birds totally extinct, but several nearly so; grizzly bear (?), elephant seal.
Colorado:
Carolina parrakeet, whooping crane; bison.
Connecticut:
Passenger pigeon, Eskimo curlew, great auk, Labrador duck, upland plover, heath
hen, wild turkey; puma, gray wolf, Canada lynx, black bear, elk. Delaware:
Wild turkey, ruffed grouse, passenger pigeon, heath hen, dickcissel, whooping crane, Carolina parrakeet; white-tailed deer, black bear, gray wolf, beaver, Canada lynx, puma.