No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 385 



stomachs of two coutaiued feathers, probably of small birds, and 

 one with chicicen feathers. In fact, the last-named was caught by 

 a steel trap set upon a chicken which it killed. This is one of the 

 serious enemies of rabbits, ruffed grouse, quail, and domestic poul- 

 try, and is not i3rotected by law in this State. 



The Red-tailed Hawk. — There has been much discussion about 

 the protection of the Red-tailed Hawk, as it is one of the birds that 

 can not be killed legally at any time .u Pennsjivania. This law ia 

 commonly violated, but we have seen .noiigh to justify its preserva- 

 tion. For example, in one Red-tailed Hawk we found two red- 

 legged grasshoppers, the head of a chipmunk, and two specimens of 

 field mice. Anotlier contained the upper and lower jaws of a field 

 mouse, showing plainly that it was beneficial in its feeding habits 



The Red-shouldered Hawk. — This is another bird justly protected 

 by law at all times. In the stomach of one was found a mass of 

 hairs of a mouse, and in another were found two specimens of a short- 

 tailed meadow mouse, or mole, and also a red-legged grasshopper. 

 As this is the mouse that destroys trees by gnawing their bark to 

 such an extent during the winter, and as the red-legged grasshop- 

 pers are the m^ost destructive Pennsylvania insects of their Order, 

 we can understand why the Red-shouldered Hawk should be pre- 

 served. 



Cooper's Hawk. — In the stomach of one individual of this species 

 we found the remains of a chipmunk and part of a small bird. In 

 another was found a few small white feathers, showing that it had 

 eaten a small bird, in another flesh and feathers of a chicken, show- 

 ing that it w^as destroying poultry. This record does not entitle it 

 to protection. 



The Great-horned Owl. — In one Great-horned Owl we found feath- 

 ers and bones of a chicken, and in fact, this bird was trapped when 

 trying to get poultry. In another were the feathers of a small bird, 

 giving evidence of the justice of the law permitting the Great-horned 

 Owl to be killed at any time. However, we emphasize the point that 

 there are at least eight species of Owls found in this State, and this 

 is the only one than can legally be killed or captured. 



The Screech-Owl. — In one Screech-Owl was found a spider and an 

 insect, and in others were found mice and English Sparrows. This 

 bird, and in fact, all the other owls but the Great-horned, should 

 always be protected. 



The Long-eared Owl. — One specimen was examined, and in its 

 stomach was found the remains of three short-tailed meadow mice 

 or moles. 



The Barred Owl. — In a Barred Owl was found the Star-nosed Mole 

 ( Co n dy In ra crista ta ) . 



Ruffed Grouse. — A Ruffed Grouse had eaten a great abundance of 

 sumac seed, also the red berries and seeds of the karonia, bitter- 

 sweet, and wild smilax. Another wt.s filled v.ith the more common 

 food of catkins or flower buds of the birch tree and hazel bush. 



The Downy Woodpecker. — A Downy Woodpecker was found to 

 have eaten two grubs, similar to the flat-headed borer of trees. 



A Night-ITawk. — A Night-Hawk, No. 7619, was found to have 

 sustained its good reputation as an insect eater by rega-ling itself 

 on the following material: a Carabid or ground beetle, three clover- 

 leaf beetles, ( Phytonomis Pnnctatus). four Pentntomids or sifiiik- 



25—7—1906, 



