Vol. III. APRIL. 1897. No. II. 



THE lOWAN RAPTORES. 



BY CHAS. R. KEYES. 



Paper read before the Second Congress of I. O. A. 



Continued From Last Issue. 



{14)—Arcliihufeo lagopiis sancti-johannis. AMERICAN ROUGH- 

 LEGGED ' HAWK. 



The American Rough-legged Hawk, one of the largest of our Hawks and 

 distingaished by its feathered tarsus, is found throughout the whole of North 

 America, but is only a winter resident south of Canada. It breeds mainly 

 north of the St. Lawrance river, and so has no especial influence on agriculture. 

 It is known, however, to be of a peaceful disposition, using the most humble 

 food, which consists principally of meadow mice and small rodents. Although 

 breeding in localities in British America where valuable game birds are 

 abundant, it is seldom, if ever, known to disturb them. 



( irj)-Archihuteo ferrugineus. FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEG. 



The Ferruginous Rough-leg is a large, powerful, and haiidsonie species, 

 common on the Great Plains of the west. It is occasionally, only, in Iowa. 

 Its liabits are similar to those of the Rough-legged Hawk, its food consisting 

 chiefly of small rodents, as gophers, mice, prairie dogs, etc., which abound in 

 prairie regions which it inhabits. 



ilG) — Hdliceetiis leitencephfihts. BALD EAGLE. 



The Bald Eagle is not as common in Iowa as formerly and can scarcely be 

 classed as a common bird here. However, pairs of these Eagles are frequently 

 seen along our water courses, especially in the early spring, and occasional 

 pairs are known to breed in the state. For a bird of its glory it is hardly as 

 useful as it shoxild be. While seldom, affecting the farmer's interests directly, 

 it destroys large niTmbers of birds which, at least, are not prejudicial to his 

 interests. Its principal articles of diet are water fowl of various kinds, geese, 

 brant, ducks, cormorants and others. It also uses fish, often captured at second 

 hand from the Ameiican Ospey, and has been known to eat carrion. This last, 

 though, is probably made use of only when other food is not procurable. 

 Cases of these birds catching young lambs, and even young children, and flying 

 away with them, as has sometimes been reported, must be very rare indeed, if 

 not in most cases fables. 



{17)—F((lcoviexicanus. PRAIRIE FALCON. 



The Prairie Falcon is casual to Iowa, being common on the Great Plains of 

 the West. It is probably more harmful than beneficial, as it lives largely on 



