BIRDS 



286 



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



large one, but among its niemljers are found both friends 



and enemies of man. The owls iiave been much maligned 



for their depredations upon poultry, but, as a whole, owls 



are among the most beneficial of all l)irds. There are 



eighteen species of owls in North America north of Mexico. 



The more famiUar 



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 confessed destroys 



much poultry, yet, at 



the same time, kills 



many mice ; the 



screech owl (Fig. 191), 



and the 



owl. 



owl is found on the 



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 tlieir 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 holding the prey. The bill is short, 

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

 is adnnrably adapted to cutting and tearing flesh. While 



The burrowing 



Fig. 191. — Screech owl. 



