1 196 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Birds of prey resident in the vicinity 



1 What can be learned about the food of birds of prey? 



2 What are the structural adaptations indicating that their food consists 



of creatures captured alive? (In this connection the speed and 

 silence of their flight should be remarked; there is no whirr of wings 

 from the swooping owl or hawk). 



3 Aside from the occasional robbery of the poultry yard, do these birds 



destroy many creatures of economic value to the agriculturist? Are 

 different species of these birds of varying economic value to the farmer? 



4 Habits of seclusion when not seeking food. 



5 Field mice devour an immense quantity of grain and grass seed and 



roots of plants; rats add to these depredations a heavy toll from bins 

 and stacks; weasels are the pests of chicken coops and yards; rabbits 

 are most destructive of green crops, nursery stock, and young orchards— 

 and all these animals are excessively prolific. If only one of these 

 creatures is killed each day of the year for each square mile of New 

 York State, how inany millions will be the total? What might 

 conditions be were they allowed to live and increase? 



List of birds likely to be found resident: 



Sharp-shinned hawk 



Cooper's hawk 

 American goshawk 



Hawks \ Red-shouldered hawk 

 Red-tailed hawk 

 Great duck hawk, or 

 peregrine falcon 



In some localities the bald eagle 



Owls 



Barn owl 



Screech owl 



Long-eared owl 



Hoot owl 



Acadian, great gray, and 



snowy owls from the 



North 



Visitants from the North 



1 Conditions that force the birds to change of place. 



2 Are these birds usually gregarious or solitary? 



3 Observations on feeding habits. 



4 Color markings; distinction of sexes. 



5 In what ways may it redound to the prosperity of our own country to 



protect and preserve these birds while they are our guests? 

 List of northern birds often seen in New York State: 



Snow buntings Lapland longspurs Red-breasted nuthatches 



Evening grosbeaks Golden-crowned king- Tufted titmice 

 Pine grosbeaks lets Redpolls 



Crossbills Northern shrikes Greater redpolls 



Pine siskins 



