USEFUL BIRDS 



183 



The Great Horned Owl, however, arriving liere sometimes as 

 early as February, is a common l^ird within our state l)orders. 

 Rabbits, gophers, muskrats, hekl mice, and other night-prowling 



Great-horned Owl. After Fuertes. 



animals represent a large share of the diet of this owl; poultry, 

 too, if farmers allow their turkeys and chickens to roost in tops 

 of trees, on sheds, or on exposed farm wagons. Even skunks (note 

 the illustration) are highly prized by them for food ; in fact, when 

 captured, they are frequently strongly scented with skunk odor. 

 With the exception of the skunk, wdiich is ordinarily a useful citizen, 

 the other mammals mentioned must be regarded as injurious — 

 most of them decidedly so ; hence this owd is, to a large degree, a 

 benefactor. 



