- l 12 Bird-Lore
stomachs contained parts of small birds; r02 stomachs contained ruler of difierent species; 40 others contained small mammals; reptiles were found in 20 stomachs, and batrachians in 39—i.e., frogs, etc.; 92 contained insects; is, spiders; 7, crawfish; i. earth-warms; 2, ohal; 3, fish; while is were empty at the time at examination. This evidence, which is indisputable, shows not only the harmless character of these birds, but it also shows most emphatically that they are of the greatest benefit to agriculturlsts. as nearly 50 per cent of them had been eating mice. which are very destructive to the tarmers‘ crops and (least
In tlte same report the following statements are made, which are additional evidence emphasising very forcibly the fact that the Red-shouldered Hawks deserve protection:
"A correspondent or the Department oi Agriculture. resident in Owezo. Tioge county. New York. states that a pair or Redrshouldcred Hawks tearetl their young lor two years in a small swampy piece bl wood about so rods tram ' a poultry larni containing Rub young chickens and soo ducks. and the keepr-r stated that he had never seen a Hawk attempt to catch one."
These Hawks. as shown by the stomach examinations. feed on insects to a consider- able degree. and the report further states: '
"Among the insects which are destroyed in considerable numbers may be mentioned grasshoppers. (tickets and various kinds at beetles and caterpillars. Even in December and early January. when apparently all illsth lite is in a dormant state. spccimcos n! the Redrshouldeted Hawk are round whose stomachs are filled with one or more species at these insects."
The writer of the Government report. Dr. Fisher, concludes by saying:
"To sum up. the (out! oi this Hawk consists til at least (it per cent or small rodents, which an: vuy inimionl to the iarmer. and less than a per com o! poultry, it seems hardly necessary to more than mention this tact to an intolli» gent person to convince them of the lolly and short-sightedncss of destroying this valuable bird. and M the necessity or lostering and protecting it in the tarm lands and orchards."
Dryden says. "The field»mouse builds her garner under ground," but the stores with which it is filled are stolen from the farmers’ crops Every farmer knows the enormous number ofthese small rodents that can be found in a corn field at the time of bushing, and although each mouse destroys but a small amount of grain or other vegetable matter, yet the aggregate amount that is lost on every acre must amount to a great deal in the course of a year on a farm of one hundred acres. These small mammals are numerous in species and are very prolific, and if their numbers were not kept in check by the so-called Birds of Prey they would soon become a serious menace to agriculture. If the farmers of the country could have a Pied Piper of Hamelin to rid them of their rodent pests they might not need the aid of Hawks, but Browning‘s weird creation cannot be summoned in this manervofrfact age. The Buteo family will serve the farmer as well today as the Pied Piper served the storied Brunswickers.
"And. whether they vipc us tree rrorri rats or item mice; llwc'vc promised them aueht. let us keep our promise!"
The only promise that the farmer has to give the Hawks for the valualrle service they give him is that they shall be protected at all times, and shall be permitted to buildahome and occupy it in peace; surelythis is a small recompense for such inestiiiiable service.
Study Points lot Teachers and students
'riaee distribution oreacp into on map. which kind is round in your locality? Does it rennin with yo winter 1 What is the distinrtite plumage leature which suggests name? Describe as many as possible is! the vet- rn drsimyed hyi Hawkt Dcscrilre the dilieiences between carnivorous animals and rodents. How many ape- eier nl each have you in yriut locality? send to the Committee any personal reasons you may have tor protecting this Hawk Who was Pliny? urydeii? crowning? when did they fire and write?
For valuable inlormaticn rcgarding lhe ch~shouldeted Hawbs. consult the relerence-booktriamrd iri Leellet No R. Marsh Hawk.
Additional copies u! this lealiet may be procured oi William butcher. chairman. 51.; Manhattan avenue. New York Cily.
