Bird Notes from Itasca County 111 



now very apparently on the increase, and if the closed season could 

 be held for another five years, the species would be out of danger. 

 However, the continued protection has affected the birds in such 

 a way that they have lost all their timidity, and they sit along 

 the roadside and watch the automobiles go by, and pennit one to 

 alight and take their pictures! As a result of this boldness, when 

 the period of the closed season expires, there is going to be sad 

 slaughtering among the grouse, and probably 75% of the present 

 stock will be exterminated the first week. After which time the 

 species will again be iin a desperate plight. It Is not enough to 

 protect our game 'by closed seasons: we must protect them by 

 education of the hunters as well. A continuance of the closed 

 season is urged. 



31. Sharp-tailed Grouse — Pedicecctes phasianellus phasianellus 



(Linn.) 



Occurs, probably as a breeding species, within the county, but 



is practically exterminated. A mounted male of the species, taken 



in Itasca county, was found in Ely, labeled " September 10, 1915." 



Known locally as the " pin-tailed grouse." 



32. Tui'key Vulture — Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied. 

 Unless there is a decomposing carcass in the vicinity, the 



vulture is rarely seen. Yet, let an animal of any considerable 

 size die, and within twenty-four hours the vultures have found 

 him. Several were seen, soaring high overhead, drifting here and 

 there aimlessly in the wind, in a way which only the vulture can. 

 There is no evidence of the species breeding within the county, 

 though it is possible that it does. 



33. Marsh Hawk — Circus Mtdsonius (Linn.) 



A common breeding species throughout the county. Seen often 

 circling low over the wet swamps, where it was found to feed on 

 snakes (ThamnopMs sirtalis) and frogs (Rana pipiens). 



34. Sharp-shinned Hawk — Accipiter velox (Wils.) 



But two birds of this species were seen. One was in flight, 

 the other perched on a dead tree, with the body of a white-throated 

 sparrow in its claws. 



35. Cooper's Hawk — Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.) 



A single Cooper's hawk was seen, flying rapidly overhead, with 

 the body of a small song bird of unknown identity, in its claws. 



36. Red-tailed Hawk — Buteo borealis iorealis (Gmel.) 



Both heard and seen frequently. On July 30, a full plumaged 

 bird was seen near Long Lake, which gave the party a fine view 

 of its chestnut brown tail. The bird showed no timidity, and 

 passed within fifty feet. 



