366 USEFUL BIRDS. 



Rats and Mice. 



Rats and mice kill some birds. Probably the tree-climbing 

 white-footed or deer mouse is one of the greatest enemies 

 that birds have among these smaller rodents, but under 

 natural conditions it is held in check by Owls. 



FEATHERED ENEMIES. 



Eagles are growing rare, and the more common Bald 

 Eagle feeds mainly on fish, hence it need not be reckoned 

 among the enemies of birds, although it may kill a few crip- 

 pled Ducks. 



Hawks. 



A very few species of Hawks are probably the most destruc- 

 tive native natural enemies of birds. All other Hawks kill 

 comparatively few. The Falcons, which are represented 

 here by three species, the Sparrow Hawk (Faico s^xirven'us), 

 the Pigeon Hawk {Falco columbanus), and the Duck Hawk 

 {FaIco peregrinus anatum), are pernicious. None of these, 

 however, are very common in the State, and for this reason, 

 mainly, their depredations arc not to be compared with those 

 of the bird-killing Hawks. The Sparrow Hawk, a great in- 

 sect killer, kills fewer birds than either of the others, and is 

 regarded as a friend to the farmer. The other two Falcons 

 are uncommon or rare, and therefore kill few birds in this 

 State ; but there are three species of pernicious Hawks : 

 the American Goshawk {Accipiter atricapiUus^ , the Cooper's 

 Hawk or "Partridge Hawk" (^Accipifer cooperii), and the 

 Sharp-shinned Hawk or ''Chicken Hawk" (Accipiter velox). 

 The Goshawk is an uncommon or periodical winter visitant, 

 but the other two are fairly connnon, and individually are 

 probably the most destructive of all the natural enemies of 

 birds. They are slaty or bluish above, Avith rather short, 

 rounded wino-s, and lons^ tails. When flvino: at anv heiirlit 

 they progress by alternate periods of fla})ping and soaring. 

 They may be known by their shape and by their manner 

 of flight. 



The Buzzards, or Hen Hawks, so called, get comparatively 

 few birds, but some individuals kill poultry. The Red- 



