XI 

 WINGED ENEMIES OF WILD FOWL 



TV7ILD ducks have many natural enemies, and in 

 *^ populous regions certain domestic enemies are 

 added which are sufficient to upset nature's balance and 

 to prevent an increase of the fowl, even in places where 

 shooting is prohibited. 



The enemies of wild fowl may be classified as winged 

 enemies and ground, or furry, enemies. The winged 

 enemies are the duck hawk and certain other hawks, 

 eagles, crows, owls, gulls, herons, jays, magpies and 

 sparrows. Mr. Thompson, a capable gamekeeper, men- 

 tions the red-headed woodpecker as an enemy of ducks 

 and says : "I have shot this thief as he carried the egg 

 of a wood-duck over my head, and I have seen him even 

 rob the chicken coop."* It seems doubtful, however, if 

 the woodpecker would do much harm, and since it is a 

 useful and interesting bird I would not advise its de- 

 struction unless it appeared to be overabundant and was 

 observed to do much damage. 



Some of the other winged enemies of game, also, are 

 useful and beneficial birds, and the game preserver al- 

 ways should bear in mind, as I have observed, the fact 



*The Amateur Sportsman, 1910. 



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