144 



HAWKS, FALCONS AND EAULES. 

 Family Falconidae. 



It is stated by reliable writers that there are at least three 

 hundred and fifty species of this family of diurnal raptorial 

 birds found throughout the world. Of this large number only 

 fourteen occur regularly in this State, and of all the numerous 

 species of bird-lile occurring in this Commonwealth, few are 

 better known to our people in general than are the Eagles 

 and Hawks, some of which are common, at all times, or during 

 some period of the year, in nearly every section of the State. 

 With a few exceptions, these raptores, as well as most of the 

 owls, particularly the smaller kinds, are highly beneticial to 

 the farmers and fruit growers, because of the immense quan- 

 tities of destructive mice and other injurious animals, also 

 large numbers of noxious insects, etc., which they devour. 

 The majority of these birds build large nests of sticks, twigs, 

 etc., on trees; some, however, nest on rocky ledges. The ]Marsh 

 Hawk breeds on the ground, and the little Sparrow Hawk, 

 like the Screech Owl and Woodpecker, breeds in hollow tre^. 

 The eggs, usually two to five, sometimes more, are generally 

 spotted and blotched, and never spherical and white, like the 

 eggs of the owls. The adult males are usually smaller than 

 the females, and with the exception of the Marsh and Sparrow 

 Hawks, are quite similar in color. The young or immature 

 birds, of most species, differ greatly from the old. These birds 

 catch their prey with their talons. Their cries are loud and 

 harsh. Occasionally they are seen in flocks — sometimes con- 

 taining several species — but usually they are observed singly 

 OT in pairs. The bill is short, stout and strongly hooked, the 

 head is completely feathered and without ear-tufts or "horns" 

 like some of the owls; the tarsus, except in the Golden Eagle 

 and Rough-legged Hawk, is naked. The feet have long, 

 strong, large, sharp and curved claws; the outer toe, except 

 in the Fish Hawk, is not reversible. The eyes are directed 

 laterally. 



A VALUABLE GROUP OF HAWKS. 



Birds'of the genus Buteo, especially borealis and lineatus, 



are the large hawks which we see, particularly in the late fall, 

 winter and early spring, frequenting grassy fields, meadows, 

 swamps, etc. These birds are the common "hen hawks" or 

 "chicken hawks" as they are usually called; but such names 

 are highly inappropriate, as a very small percentage of their 

 food is poultry. Three species, (especially borealis and lin 

 eatua), are common residents in Pennsylvania. In order to 

 give a clear idea of the great benefits these "hen hawks" ren- 

 der the agriculturist and fruit grower, the following extracts, 

 relating to the stomach contents of 847, captured during ali 

 seasons of the year in various parts of the ITnlted States, are 



