Wyoming Birds. 41 



ORDER XII. RAPTORES. 



CATHARTIDAE (American Vultures). 



The Vultures feed upon carrion. In some localities they are 

 regarded as valuable scavengers, while in others they are disliked 

 as nuisances. They may be the means of spreading hog cholera. 



REFERENCES : 



1. "Birds in Their Relation to Man,'' Weed and Dearborn, pp. 



215-218. 



2. Circular No. 76, U. S. Biological Survey, pp. 9-10. 



325. Cathartes aura septentrionalis: Turkey Vulture. 



Rather uncommon summer resident over the eastern half 

 of the state. Our most westerly record is by Blackwelder 

 in the Teton region. 



BUTEONIDAE (Hawks, Eagles, Kites, etc.). 



The Hawks are valuable to the agriculturist in Wyoming, be- 

 cause they consume great numbers of destructive rodents and in- 

 sects. The Marsh Hawk and Swainson's Hawk are the two most 

 important ones in this state. Their crops are always filled with 

 mice and gophers. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and 

 Goshawk are not protected because of their preference for birds. 

 The Bald Eagle feeds both upon carrion and animals which it cap- 

 tures by its own efforts. It is fond of fish and eats many which it 

 finds washed up on the shore or which it steals from the Osprey. 

 The Eagle also feeds upon ducks, geese and other game birds, as 

 well as wild mammals of various kinds (rodents, mostly). It has 

 been known also to attack domestic animals. The Eagle can, there- 

 fore, not be defended altogether, but it should be protected for its 

 aesthetic value to the country. 



References : 



1. Biological Survey Bulletin No. 27. 



2. .Biological Survey Circular No. 61. 



3. -Farmers' Bulletin No. 497, pp. 26-29. 



331. Circus hudsonius: Marsh Hawk. 



Common summer resident over almost the entire state at 

 the lower altitudes. 



