IS 



ness of hawks and owls, regarded from an agricultural or other 

 economic standpoint, I beg to say that I consider these birds highly 

 beneficial and worthy of protective legislation 



The number of poultry and of useful insectivorous birds 

 which hawks and owls destroy is insignificant in comparison 

 with the quantity of noxious rodents which they con- 

 sume. Owls are particularly serviceable in this respect, and 

 next after them come the buzzards. Most birds of prey likewise 

 consume enormous numbers of insects, among which is a large pro- 

 portion of noxious kinds. Very truly yours, 



ELLIOTT COUES, V. P. A. O. U., etc. 

 CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 28, 1886. 

 Copy of "Local News" containing the hawk testimony received. 

 It came just in time 10 be used at a hearing before our Vtxss Legisla- 

 tive Committee. I urged the protection of these valuable and much 

 abused birds [the hawks and owls] very thoroughly, and I hope with 

 some success. Yours very truly, WILLIAM BREWS TER. 



From Montague Chamberlain, eminent Canadian Natural. st. 



ST. JOHNS, New Brunswick, March 22, 1886. 

 I am exceedingly obliged to you for so kindly sending me the 

 "clipping" of report of your meeting. The letters on destruction 

 of Owls and Hawks will be very useful to me in letters I am writing 

 on protection of our birds, and I will also use them in lectures I am 

 preparing. Yours respectfully, 



M. CHAMBERLAIN. 



BOSTON, Mass, March 10, 1886. 

 I am indebted f^ youi courtesy for two copies of the "Daily Local 

 News." Please accept my thanks. I have read the proceedings of 

 the Microscopical Society with much interest and sympathy, and will 

 hand one copy of the pipers to my friend, Mr. H. A. Purdie, who is 

 just now engaged in defending the birds before a committee of our 

 Massachusetts Legislature. Wishing you all success in your good 

 work, I am cordially yours, BRADFORD TORREY. 



BOSTON, Mass., March 8, 1886. 

 I have just received five copies of the paper with the interesting 

 matter about hawks and owls. All quite correct. I have jitst cut out 

 and i-asted onto sheets of paper, a copy which I shall put into the 

 hands of our Legislature Committee who gave three hearings last 

 week on a revision of the game laws of this State, and are to be con- 

 tinued this week. Very truly yours. H. A. PURDIE. 



From the Curator of the American Museum of Natural History. 



NEW YORK CITY, March 29, 1886. 

 The report of the West Chester Mic. Society duly to hand, for 

 which, cordial thanks. I am very glad to see you working so intelli- 

 gently and earnestly in behalf of a very useful and much persecuted 



