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The Spruce Grouse or partridge inhabits the coniferous districts. It feeds 

 for the most part on the leaves of the spruce. It is very tame, allowing the ob- 

 server to approach within a few feet. It is a beautiful bird and adds much to the 

 beauty of the dark coniferous forests of the north. It seems a pity that it cannot 

 be spared to grace its woodland home, especially as its flesh is scarcely fit for food. 

 Its food consists almost entirely of vegetable matter and does not affect agriculture. 



Birds of Prey 



The Hawks, Falconidae, are well fitted to prey on rodents and other birds. 

 Their sharp strong claws and stout hooked bills are used for seizing and tearing 

 their prey. They are also gifted with remarkably acute eyesight. They are usually 

 regarded by the farmer as enemies and shot on sight because of the poultry taken 

 by a few species. It is not easy to distinguish the different species of hawks, so 

 the innocent suffer with the guilty. Only one or two of the hawks are positively 

 injurious, living on useful birds and poultry ; the others are of such great value to 

 the agriculturist that it would be much better to spare all than to destroy them 

 indiscriminately. 



Ranking first in economic importance is the Marsh Hawk. It may be recog- 

 nized by its habit of fTying low, back and forth over meadows and marshes, in search 

 of mice and other small rodents. It destroys gTeater numbers of these pests than 

 any other species and deserves protection. 



Another useful hawk is the Sparrow Hawk, the smallest and handsomest of 

 the hawks. It is rather common and lives largely on grasshoppers, other insects 

 and mice. 



The Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Accipiter velox, is the commonest hawk that 

 may be classed as injurious. It feeds on birds and poultry. Cooper's Hawk, 

 Accipiter Cooperii, is another species that lives almost entirely on wild birds and 

 poultry. It does not seem to be common in this Province. 



The Owls are among the most beneficial of all birds, doing little damage and 

 conferring vast benefits upon the farmer. They are especially fitted for preying 

 on rodents, as their eyesight is keenest in the dim light of the morning or evening 

 when mice and other rodents are moving about. Their soft feathers permit of 

 noiseless flight, which aids them in catching their prey. All are highly beneficial 

 except the Great Horned Owl, which may take poultry and game birds. 



The smaller owls also destroy large numbers of insects, as well as mice and 

 smaller mammals. 



