FAUNA OF NEBRASKA. 125 



The Plccarlan Birds are represented by eleven genera and 

 fifteen species. Among these are the common Whippoorwill, in 

 the eastern part of the State, and Nuttall's Whippoorwill in central 

 and western Nebraska. The Night-Hawk (Chordciles Virgini- 

 anus} is common and breeds here. The Chimney Swallow is 

 abundant in the older settlements of the State. The Humming 

 Birds are represented by two species. The Belted King- Fisher 

 is most frequently seen in the eastern part of the State. Seven 

 woodpeckers are at home in the State. The Hairy, Yellow-bellied 

 and Red-headed Woodpeckers are the most abundant. The latter 

 is rapidly on the increase. 



Birds of Prey are here in large numbers, though only a few 

 that live exclusively on other birds. Among these is the Barn 

 Owl which lives on insects. The Snowy Owl is here in winter. 

 The Burrowing Owl so abundant in western and central Nebraska 

 is a very large destroyer of insects, mice, and small reptiles. The 

 Swallow-tailed Hawk, the most beautiful air sailer in America^ 

 feeds almost exclusively on insects. It is sparingly represented all 

 over the State. The Pigeon Hawk and Coopers Hawk are unfor- 

 tunately abundant all over the State. The American Merlin and 

 Sparrow Haw T k and Hen Hawk are common. Smainson's Buzzard 

 is onlv abundant along timbered streams of water. The Golden 

 and Bald Eagle are both occasionally seen in Nebraska, especially 

 the latter, which has been known to breed here. 



The Pigeons are very sparsely represented here, there-being but 

 two genera and two species. The wild Pigeons are abundant 

 during some years. The common dove is very abundant all over 

 the State. 



Gallinaceous Birds are represented by only six genera and as 

 many species. The Wild Turkey was formerly exceedingly abun- 

 dant in all the woodlands of the State but is now much reduced in 

 numbers. The Sharp-tailed Grouse has been reduced to a small 

 number. The Prarie Chicken was once very abundant in Nebraska. 

 Hunting them with dogs now keeps their numbers very much 

 reduced. Quails are very abundant during some years. They are 

 common over the greater part of the State. 



The Wading Birds are represented here by twenty-six genera 

 and thirty-seven species. Among these, the King Plover is abun- 

 dant during its spring and fall migrations. The Piping and Moun- 

 tain Plover are also common. Wilson's Phalerope is only common 



