FEATHERED GAME 



Hawks 



Notwithstanding claims to the contrary, all 

 hawks, with the exception of the sparrow hawk, 

 are injurious. Even the much-lauded marsh hawk 

 in open districts lives exclusively on small birds, 

 that is, at least, in the West. In timbered coun- 

 try, where he is too ungainly to catch winged 

 prey, by force of necessity he has to subsist on 

 small injurious rodents which he can catch in the 

 open. 



Whoever has observed with open eyes and an 

 open mind the actions of hawks, knows that ft 

 will pay the sportsmen well to fill them with 

 lead at every opportunity. Imitating their mat- 

 ing call an easy matter is the most satisfactory 

 method of getting them within range, and it is 

 also a very entertaining pastime during the close 

 season. The hunter selects a good cover for him- 

 self in a locality which he knows or suspects to 

 be infested by the pests, and sounds his cac-cac- 

 cac or, kee-kee-kee-e-e 'dependent upon which 

 variety of eagles or hawks he wishes to call, and 

 if a hawk is within hearing, he is never long in 



coming. 



215 



