114 



Though the classification of this order is far from satisfactory and 

 probably will eventually have to be revised, American practice divides our 

 species into three suborders : Sarcorhamphi, the American Vultures, distinct 

 from those of the Old World; Falcones, the Diurnal Birds of Prey; and 

 Striges, the Nocturnal Birds of Prey or Owls. 



Economic Status. Perhaps no birds are better known and at the same 

 time so generally misunderstood in their economic relations as these. 

 All know of the Hawks, Owls, and Eagles and their flesh-eating propensities, 

 but few realize that amongst them are some of man's best friends and that 

 the popular policy of killing them on sight is a mistaken one. Some do 

 considerable damage, but to include all in the condemnation merited by 

 the few is a grave economic error. The first family, the Vultures, are 

 repulsive birds, but as scavengers entirely useful, and no valid complaint 

 can be lodged against them. 0^ the other two divisions, the diurnal and 

 nocturnal rapaces, their varying status is the cause of much misconception. 

 Fortunately in regard to these birds we can speak with authority based 

 upon actual data and not mere speculation. The United States Biological 

 Survey made a thorough study of the food habits of American Hawks and 

 Owls, basing its conclusions upon the examination of some 2,700 stomachs 

 taken in all seasons of the year in various parts of the United States and 

 Canada. The whole is embodied, with the data for its substantiation, 

 in a report, "The Hawks and Owls of the United States" by Dr. A. K. 

 Fisher,^ though compiled in and for an adjoining country all Canadian 

 species are treated and the results are as applicable to Canada as to the 

 United States. As some of the less harmful species do not occur in Canada 

 the percentages below will have to be slightly corrected for our use, but not 

 seriously enough to perceptibly modify the general conclusions. Only 

 six of the seventy-three species studied are injurious. Of these, three are 

 extremely rare in Canada and one is altogether a fish-eater. Of the re- 

 mainder, 56 per cent of the stomachs examined contained mice and other 

 small mammals, 27 per cent insects, and only 31 per cent poultry or game 

 birds. Dividing the raptorial birds of eastern Canada into groups ac- 

 cording to their economic status we find that three species are wholly 

 beneficial and absolutely harmless; sixteen are mainly beneficial, doing 

 decidedly more good than harm; four are about balanced in their effect; 

 and six are positively harmful. Only three of these latter are common 

 enough to warrant consideration and only two, the Sharp-shinned and 

 Cooper's Hawks, numerous enough in the thickly settled communities to 

 be noticed. The Goshawk is a more northern species whose distribution 

 overlaps the edges of settlement on the north. What can be regarded 

 as a just balance between good and evil is difficult to decide; the loss 

 of a chicken is definite, easily estimated in value; the absence of the 

 mice and insects taken by a predaceous bird is a vague benefit that is 

 difficult of realization or appreciation. 



SUBORDER— SARCORHAMPHI. AMERICAN VULTURES. 



This suborder is composed of the American Vultures which are sys- 

 tematically quite distinct from those of the Old World. One family only 

 is represented in Canada, Cathartidoe the Turkey Vultures. Vultures 



'See also "The Hawks of the Canadian prairie provinces in their relation to agriculture," 

 Geol. Surv., Can., Mus. Bull. 28, 1918. 



