I3IKDS 



285. 



hawks, owls, and buzzards. This group of birds is not a 



large one, but among its members are found both friends 



and enemies of man. The owls have Ijeen much mahgned 



fur their depredations upon pouUry, but, as a whole, owls 



are among the most beneficial of all birds. There are 



eighteen species of owls in North America north of Mexico. 



The more famihar 



ones are the barn owl, 



the best feathered 



friend the farmer has , 



for it lives almost 



entirely. on rats and 



mice ; the great horned 



owl, which it must 



be confes.sed destroys 



much poultry, yet, at 



the same time, kills 



many mice ; the 



screech owl (Fig. 191) , 



and the long-eared 



owl. The burrowing 



owl is found on tl:e 



plains of the West 



from North Dakota to southern California. This owl 



burrows readily into loose soil. 



The eagles (Fig. 192) are majestic birds of large size and 

 furnish an inspiring spectacle in their lofty flights above the 

 crags and mountain tops. The feet of the eagles are very 

 strong and every toe is furnished with a strong, curved 

 talon for grasping and hokhng the prey. The bill is short, 

 stout, curved at the tip, and has sharp cutting edges. It 

 is admirably adapted to cutting and tearing flesh. While 



Fig. 191. — Screech owl. 



