46 THOMAS SADLER ROBERTS 



Hawks and Owls other than those included in Outlawed List. All 



hawks and owls are almost universally considered legitimate 

 prey for the gun and steel trap. If some men are murderers, 

 shoot all men on sight. It is true that several of the larger 

 kinds of protected hawks and owls do kill an occasional useful 

 wild bird or farmer's chicken, but as a group, big and little, 

 they constitute the chief agency provided for keeping in 

 subjection a horde of wild mice, injurious rodents of many 

 kinds, innumerable destructive insects, snakes, etc., that other- 

 wise would defy all restraint and do incalculable damage. 



Belted Kingfisher. This bird may perhaps have to be eliminated 

 at times about fish hatcheries, but otherwise it is an attrac- 

 tive feature of lake shores and waterways. 



Sapsucker or Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. Little can be honestly 

 said in behalf of this handsome culprit. Were it not for the 

 confusion that might arise with its most valuable kinsfolk, 

 this bird would deserve an honored place among the "outlaws." 



Red-headed Woodpecker. Has a fondness for the smaller culti- 

 vated fruits and sometimes destroys the nests, eggs, and young 

 of other birds; but it much more than makes up for these 

 occasional delinquencies by consuming large quantities of in- 

 jurious insects. 



Kingbird. Is sometimes called the "Bee-bird" and held to account 

 for catching honey bees; but is to be considered one of our 

 valuable insect destroyers. 



Blue Jay. A bird of omnivorous feeding habits, the Jay not 

 infrequently robs birds' nests of both eggs and young. But 

 on the whole the damage done is not great and the beautiful 

 plumage, the familiar habits, and the enlivening presence of 

 the Jay throughout the coldest winter weather, entitle it to 

 favorable consideration. 



Baltimore Oriole. The small-fruit- and pea-eating habits of this 

 beautiful bird are unimportant in comparison with its other- 

 wise general desirability. 



Rose-breasted Grosbeak. This bird has a strong predilection for 

 green peas, which it shells out adroitly as fast as they fill the 

 pods. But this failing should be prevented or overlooked, for 

 the offender is among our most valuable insect destroyers and 

 ranks high in song and beauty. Its special fondness for potato 

 bugs and their larvae has earned for it the name of "Potato- 

 • bug Bird." 



