[1] This what Holley engineer Mike Urich said in the original. One of the most comprehensive books on carb function & tuning. He went on to become VP.
Page 23: ' The strong signal from the discharge nozzle is bled or reduced by the main air bleed so there is less effective pressure difference to cause fuel flow. The mixture will become leaner as the size as the size of the AB is increased. Decreasing the size of the AB increases the pressure drop across the main jet to pull more fuel through main system, giving as richer mixture.
[2] Carter Carburetors: ' As bleed size is enlarged, the vacuum [ depression ] required to initiate fuel flow is increased.
[3] Doug Roe Rochesterr carb book. p. 10. Same message as in the H book.