112 Bird-Lore 



■stomachs contained parts of small birds; 102 stomachs contained mice of different species; 

 40 others contained small mammals; reptiles were found in 20 stomachs, and batrachians 

 in 39 — i.e., frogs, etc.; 92 contained insects; 16, spiders; 7, crawfish; i, earth-worms; 

 .2, offal; 3, fish; while 14 were empty at the time of examination. This evidence, which 

 is indisputable, shows not only the harmless character of these birds, but it also shows most 

 •emphatically that they are of the greatest benefit to agriculturists, as nearly 50 per cent of 

 them had been eating mice, which are very destructive to the farmers' crops and trees. 



In the same report the following statements are made, which are additional evidence 

 •emphasizing very forcibly the fact that the Red-shouldered Hawks deserve protection: 



"A correspondent of the Department of Agriculture, resident in Owego, Tioga county. New York, states that a 

 pair of Red-shouldered Hawks reared their young for two years in a small swampy piece of wood about 50 rods from 

 ^ poultry farm containing 800 young chickens and 400 ducks, and the keeper stated that he had never seen a Hawk 

 attempt to catch one." 



These Hawks, as shown by the stomach examinations, feed on insects to a consider- 

 able degree, and the report further states: 



"Among the insects which are destroyed in considerable numbers may be mentioned grasshoppers, crickets and 

 various kinds of beetles and caterpillars. Even in December and early January, when apparently all insect life is in 

 a dormant state, specimens of the Red-shouldered Hawk are found whose stomachs are filled with one or more 

 •species of these insects." 



The writer of the Government report. Dr. Fisher, concludes by saying: 



"To sum up, the food of this Hawk consists of at least 65 per cent of small rodents, which are very injurious to 

 the farmer, and less than 2 per cent of poultry. It seems hardly necessary to more than mention this fact to an intelli- 

 gent person to convince them of the folly and short-siglnedness of destroying this valuable bird, and of the necessity 

 ■of fostering and protecting it in the farm lands and orchards." 



Dryden says, "The field-mouse builds her garner under ground," but the stores with 

 Avhich it is filled are stolen from the farmers' crops. Every farmer knows the enormous 

 number of these small rodents that can be found in a corn field at the time of husking, 

 and although each mouse destroys but a small amount of grain or other vegetable matter, 

 yet the aggregate amount that is lost on every acre must amount to a great deal in the 

 ■course of a year on a farm of one hundred acres. These small mammals are numerous in 

 species and are very prolific, and if their numbers were not kept in check by the so-called 

 Birds of Prey they would soon become a serious menace to agriculture. If the farmers of 

 the country could have a Pied Piper of Hamelin to rid them of their rodent pests they might 

 not need the aid of Hawks, but Browning's weird creation cannot be summoned in this 

 matter-of-fact age. The Buteo family will serve the farmer as well today as the Pied 

 Piper served the storied Brunswickers. 



"And, whether they pipe us free from rats or from mice,- 

 If we've promised them aught, let us keep our promise ! " 



The only promise that the farmer has to give the Hawks for the valuable service they 

 ^ive him is that they shall be protected at all times, and shall be permitted to build a home 

 and occupy it in peace; surely this is a small recompense for such inestimable service. 



Study Points for Teachers and Students 



Trace distribution of each race on map. Which kind is found in your locality ? Does it remain with you in 

 winter ? What is the distinctive plumage feature which suggests name ? Describe as many as possible of the ver- 

 ;min destroyed by this Hawk. Describe the differences between carnivorous animals and rodents. How many spe- 

 cies of each have you in your locality ? Send to the Committee any personal reasons you may have for protecting 

 this Hawk. Who was Pliny? Dryden? Browning? When did they live and write ? 



For valuable information regarding the Red-shouldered Hav/ks, consult the reference-books named in Leaflet 

 No. 8, Marsh Hawk. 



Additional copies of this leaflet may be procured of William Dutcher, chairman, 5x5 Manhattan avenue, 

 JJcw York City. 



