ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIRDS TO THE STATE. 1 39 



Summary of the Contents of i fig Stomachs of the Sharp-Shinned Hawk. {From Fisher.) 

 6 stomachs contained poultry or game birds. 

 99 stomachs contained other birds. 



6 stomachs contained mice. 



5 stomachs contained insects. 

 52 stomachs were empty. 



OWLS. Family Bubonidas. 



Owls, because of their nocturnal habits, prey on small rodents, themselves 

 nocturnal, to an even greater e.xtent than Hawks and are therefore more valuable. 

 We continue our extracts from Dr. Fisher's work previously mentioned. 



Barred Owl: Hoot Owl {Syriiiuin nebiilosnm). — A common species much oftener 

 heard than seen, its deep-voiced ivhoo-whoo-zohoo, too-zvhoo, too-ivlioo-at, resembling 

 the distant "whistle for crossing" of a locomotive, being a familiar sound to dwellers 

 near woods. 



Summary of the Contents of log Stomachs of the Barred Ozvl. {From Fisher.) 

 5 stomachs contained poultry or game. 



13 stomachs contained other birds. 

 46 stomachs contained mice. 



18 stomachs contained other mammals. 

 4 stomachs contained frogs. 



1 stomach contained a lizard. 



2 stomachs contained fish. 



14 stomachs contained insects. 

 2 stomachs contained spiders. 

 9 stomachs contained crawfish. 



20 stomachs were empty. 



Short-Eared Owl {Asio accipitrirms). — The Short-Eared Owl, a species which 

 lives in our marshes, is a famous destroyer of meadow mice, as may be seen from 

 the appended statement : 



Summary of the Contents of the Stomachs of loi Short-eared Oivls. (From Fisher.) 

 1 1 stomachs contained small birds. 

 7J stomachs contained mice. 



7 stomachs contained other mammals. 

 7 stomachs contained insects. 



14 stomachs were empty. 



