4 Field Museum of Natural History 



a large patch of grass about each one, with the result 

 that all the eggs hatched safely. If everyone would 

 be so considerate, there might be more chickens. Two 

 game birds that have been introduced with marked 

 success are the Pheasant and Hungarian Partridge. 

 They are found in open and brushy fields, and are 

 said to be increasing very encouragingly. 



As the hawks and owls prey upon mice in winter, 

 it is about the more open country that they are most 

 common, such as fields and marshes. The Marsh Hawk, 

 a common resident, often winters here, and when on 

 the wing is easily identified by the conspicuous white 

 patch on the rump. The American Rough-legged 

 Hawk appears in October and November and stays 

 about in small numbers until early March. It is a 

 heavy, slow-flying hawk, and often hunts in the early 

 evening after the sun has set. During particularly 

 hard winters, large numbers of Goshawks are apt to 

 appear from the north. They destroy much game 

 and poultry and in consequence many are shot. One 

 Chicago taxidermist received fifteen for mounting dur- 

 ing a recent visit of these birds. Snowy Owls also 

 come with the Goshawks, but are less frequent. It is 

 hard to say in what particular locality they are most 

 likely to be found. The last one seen in this region 

 was found in Grant Park near the Museum, by H. L. 

 Stoddard, in November, 1919. The most common owl 

 is the Short-eared, especially during its migration in 

 late October and early November. This bird tries to 

 escape notice by sitting quietly in the grass or cat-tails, 

 and only flies when nearly stepped on. 



A very beneficial little bird, catching many mice 

 and also English Sparrows, is the Screech Owl. It is 

 seldom seen, however, for during the day it sleeps in 

 some hollow tree or old woodpecker's nest, only coming 

 out to hunt after the sun has set. It even comes into 



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