HOW BIRDS AFFECT THE ORCHARD. 301 
too numerous for the best economic results in many States of the 
Mississippi Valley, and is likely to become so in the East if the 
protection of the law is not removed. 
MarsH HAWK.—An idea of the good work done by hawks and owls 
in the destruction of smaller mammals may be obtained by watching a 
marsh hawk (Circus hudsonius) foraging for its dinner. This hawk 
preys extensively on the mice and other small mammals that live on 
the ground near fences and hedgerows. It may be seen skimming 
along close to the surface, following a fence up one side and down 
the other, stopping now and then to circle around a particularly prom- 
ising spot, and examining every rubbish heap or stone pile, till a 
chance movement in the grass catches its eye, when, in an instant, it 
throws up its wings, suddenly checking its flight in mid-air, and 
drops with outstretched talons upon its unfortunate prey. Mouse 
after mouse will be taken in this way, each of which is capable of 
doing much mischief to trees or grain. 
The extent of the benefit of this work and full corroboration of its 
character is shown by stomach examination. Thus, in the stomachs of 
45 rough-legged hawks (Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis), taken in 
several different States, were found 128 harmful rodents, 1 weasel, 1 
shrew, 1 lizard, and 70 insects. The rodents, besides 19 which could 
not be determined specifically from the remains, consisted of 1 gopher, 
2 rabbits, 4 house mice, 4 white-footed mice, and 98 meadow mice. 
No traces of birds or poultry were found in any one of the 45 stomachs. 
Barn owt.—When hawks or owls devour their prey they usually 
bolt it whole or in large fragments, with the bones, hair, and many 
of the unremoved feathers. By the action of the stomach the indiges- 
tible portions, such as bones and hair, are soon separated from the 
flesh and rolled up in a neat pellet, which is then disgorged. In the 
vicinity of their nests many such pellets are to be found; and when these 
are dissected the bones, and still more the teeth, show what animals 
the bird has been eating. Ina tower of the Smithsonian Institution 
in Washington a pair of barn owls (Strix pratincola) have had their 
nest for several years. Dr. Fisher visited this eyrie on several occa- 
sions, and collected 675 pellets, of which he made a careful study, 
with the result that he identified the remains of 1,787 small mammals, 
mostly rodents, 36 birds, and 2 frogs. Of the mammals, there were 
1,119 common meadow mice, one of the worst enemies to young fruit 
trees as well as to farm crops in general. 
SHRIKES. 
ButcHER BIRD.—Besides hawks and owls, certain other native birds 
demand passing notice on account of the services they render by destroy- 
ing mice. These are the shrikes, birds with many peculiar character- 
istics, whose food habits have been investigated by Dr. Sylvester D. 
