The Heath Hen – Alfred Gross – 1928 w/ Ephemera & Feather from Booming Ben

The Heath Hen – Alfred Gross – 1928. A first edition published by the Boston Society of Natural History and an extraordinarily rare package. Detailing the heath hen, a historical game bird from the grouse family that was particularly abundant on Martha’s Vineyard. However, through hunting, human disturbances, predation, and other factors, the heath hen was extinct by c. 1932. The last known hen, named Booming Ben, has been enshrined on the island, with a statue and other monuments. The exact year and cause of death are hotly debated. With the book is Gross’s typed heath hen report for 1931 (a photocopy), as part of his work for Bowdoin College, the heath hen census reports for 1929 and 1930, and the heath hen report for 1931-1932, the year they were believed to go extinct. Incredibly detailed reports of the capture and monitoring of these birds, who were not held in captivity and remained wild. The final report gives details of the capture and health of Booming Ben. Within the book is a feather from Booming Ben collected during the 1931 survey, presumably collected by Gross and gifted. Adhered to the rear EP is the official heath hen report published by the Federation of the Bird Clubs of New England (by Gross) in 1928. Accompanying is a folder of eleven 8×12 photos of prairie chickens taken by Gross in Wisconsin, each with short labels. This research was part of a study to possibly re-establish the heath hen or introduce the prairie chicken in the east. Also accompanying are Hunting and Fishing magazine from July 1927 and Nature Magazine from July 1930, each with heath hen articles, particularly regarding the population on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Green boards with gilt lettering at spine. Very minor cover wear. Fine condition. A truly one-of-a-kind package with possibly the only known and confirmed feather from Booming Ben. Note that this book (with feather) has been cleared for sale by the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Formerly of the collection of a New England sporting author, decoy expert, and ornithological enthusiast, who purchased the book at Copley’s some years ago. The book is exactly as pictured. Any questions, please ask.