BIRDS OF NEW YORK 43 



crop, however, very little is worthy of vSober consideration except the 

 depredations of robins and cedarbirds in the cherry orchards of the State. 

 Some of the other small fruits have suffered, especially the berry crop, 

 but the main damage seems to be to the cherry, and the principal offenders 

 are the Robin and Cedarbird. It is almost hopeless to attempt frightening 

 the birds from the trees by any device which can be erected. We believe 

 the best safeguard is to plant a few trees bearing early fruit around the 

 edges of the orchard or on the roadside to attract the robins and cedar- 

 birds away from the orchard. 



Destruction of poultry and game. Many farmers have the idea that 

 every hawk is an enemy to their poultry yard, although Fisher's famous 

 work on the economic status of hawks and owls has been in print for 

 twenty-five years; and it has been impossible for the Audubon Society 

 or the scientists that have borne testimony before the legislative committees 

 of New York State to change this popular misapprehension. The main 

 obstacle in dealing with this subject before legislators undoubtedly arises 

 from the difficulty which is apparent of recognizing in the field the different 

 species of hawks, and so for the average citizen to distinguish the useful 

 from the injurious species. Certain it is, however, that some of the hawks 

 should be classed as injurious while others are useful in their habits. Birds 

 decidedly injurious from their attacks upon poultry and game are the 

 Goshawk, Cooper hawk, Duck hawk and Great horned owl. Other species 

 of the large hawks and owls also do some injury, but, according to the 

 most careful study of the subject, should not be classed as more injurious 

 than beneficial because of their depredations. These are the Red-tailed 

 hawk. Marsh hawk. Barred owl and Snowy owl. A comparative summary 

 of the food and habits of the various species will be found on .page 62. 



Destruction of insectivorous birds. Several species of hawks seem 

 to be extremely fond of small birds, especially of thrushes, sparrows, 

 larks and warblers. In this number are the Cooper hawk. Sharp-shinned 

 hawk. Duck hawk and Pigeon hawk. The Sharp-shinned and Pigeon 

 hawks feed almost exclusively on small birds. Less destructive in this 



