2yS CONNECTICUT GEOL. AND NAT. hist. SURVEY. | lhlll. 



by Dr. Warren, 4 contained mice; 3. small birds; 4, f rogs ; 1, 

 crawfish and traces of coleopterous insects. Of 6 stomachs ex- 

 amined by the author, 2 contained mammals; and all 6. insects, 

 among which were cicadas, katydids, grasshoppers, beetles, and 

 various large caterpillars. 



The Rough-legged Hawk (Archibuteo lagopus soncti- 

 fohannis) occurs with us only as a rather rare winter resident, 

 but is altogether useful in its feeding habits. All of eleven 

 stomachs examined by Dr. Warren contained field mice; while, 

 of 4<) stomachs reported by Dr. Fisher, 40 contained mice; 5, other 

 mammals; 1, lizards; 1. insects: and 4 were empty. 



The Golden Eagle ( Aquila chrysaetos) is only a straggler 

 with us; and the Bald Eagle (HalutetUS leucocephalus) is so 

 rare that its food is of little importance. It feeds largely on fish, 

 carrion, small mammals, and occasionally waterfowl. 



The little Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius sparverius), 

 chiefly distinguishable from the Sharp-shinned by its long and 

 pointed wings and its habit of hovering in the air, is one of our 

 most useful birds, as its food is principally grasshoppers. Of 

 320 stomachs reported by Dr. Fisher. 1 contained a game-bird) 

 53, other birds; 89, mice; 12, other mammals; 12. reptiles or 



batrachians; 215, insects; -•<). spiders; and 29 were empty. Of 



65 Stomachs examined by Dr. Warren, 3] contained held mice; 

 23, grasshoppers and beetles; 7, small birds; _\ meadowlarks ; 

 I, a mouse and small birds; and T, insects and small birds. Of 

 10 stomachs examined by the author, 2 were empty; 3 contained 

 mammals, chiefly mice; and 5, insects, largely grasshoppers. 



OWLS. 



Strigida. 



Of the six Owls occurring regularly in Connecticut, the habits 

 of only one — the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus Vtr- 



ginianus) — are such as to deserve ostracism. Its strength, 

 ferocity, and courage are great, and it has well been called the 

 tiger of the air. One who has seen the fury gleaming from the 

 eyes of a pair of these birds when he is at their nest has had an 

 experience he will not soon forget. Both mammals and birds are 

 its prey, and large ones at that; rabbits, squirrels, and skunks 



