30 LEGISLATION FOE THE PROTECTION OF BIKDS. 



species which occur north of Mexico, about 17 consist of stragglers or 

 of subspecies of little importance from an economic standpoint. Of 

 the 73 important species and subspecies, only 6 have been shown to 

 be actually injurious, viz, the sharp-shinned hawk (Aooipiter vdox), 

 Cooper's hawk (Accipiter oooperi), goshawk (Aocipiter atrioapillm), 

 duck hawk (Falco peregrinus amatuni), pigeon hawk (Falco colwmba- 

 rius), and great horned owl (Bubo virginianus). 1 On the other hand, 

 some of the species are decidedly useful as insect destroyers. Two of 

 the large hawks commonly included under the term ' chicken hawk' — 

 Swainson's hawk (Buteo swavnsoni) and the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo 

 Imeatus)— f eed largely on insects, and the former bird destroys immense 

 numbers of grasshoppers when such food is available. In an examina- 

 tion of 18 stomachs of Swainson's hawk, 8 were found to contain 

 insects, and no poultry or birds were found in any; while of 220 stom- 

 achs of the red-shouldered hawk, 92 contained insects and only 15 

 poultry or birds. A still more striking example of grasshopper-eating 

 proclivities is that of the sparrow hawk — one of our most useful birds. 

 In referring to this species, Dr. Fisher says: 



The subject of the food of this hawk is one of great interest, and considered in its 

 economic bearings, is one that should be carefully studied. The sparrow hawk is 

 almost exclusively insectivorous, except when insect food is difficult to obtain. In 

 localities where grasshoppers and crickets are abundant these hawks congregate, often 

 in moderate-sized flocks, and gorge themselves continuously. Barely do they touch 

 any other form of food until, either by the advancing season or other natural causes, 

 the grasshopper crop is so lessened that their hunger can not be appeased without 

 undue exertion. Then other kinds of insects and other forms of life contribute to 

 their fare. Beetles, spiders, mice, shrews, small snakes, lizards, or even birds may 

 be required to bring up the balance. 2 



The diet of these species would seem to entitle them to rank as 

 insectivorous, but it is doubtful whether the State laws protecting 

 insectivorous birds contemplated including any birds of prey under 

 that term. 



LISTS OF SPECIES PROTECTED IN EACH STATE AND IN THE 

 CANADIAN PROVINCES. 



For convenience in comparison, the lists of birds protected under 

 various State laws have been brought together in tabular form. But 

 as these State lists have little uniformity (see pp. 56-84), it has been 

 necessary to adopt some definite order of sequence, and for this reason 

 the species have been rearranged in accordance with the Check List 

 of the American Ornithologists' Union. Although the enumeration 



1 For a full discussion of the food of hawks and owls, based on an examination of 

 nearly 3,000 stomachs, see A. K. Fisher, 'Hawks and Owls of the United States', Bull. 

 3, Div. Ornith. and Mamm., 1893; ' Hawks and Owls from the Standpoint of the 

 Farmer', Yearbook Dept. Agr., 1894, pp. 215-232. 



2 Bull. Hawks and Owls, p. 116. 



