302 FARM FRIENDS AND FARM FOES 



bird. These perch upon fences, trees, tall weeds, or posts 

 wherever they can watch the surrounding air space. 

 When a fly, moth, beetle or other insect comes near, the 

 bird sallies forth and snaps it in its beak. In this way 

 they get nearly all their food. 



In the case of the Phoebe more than nine tenths of the 

 food consists of insects and spiders, chiefly those caught 

 in the air. In the case of the Kingbird the proportion is 

 almost as great. To a less extent the Bluebird and the 

 Cedar Bird have similar fly-catching habits. 



The greater spaces of the air over gardens and culti- 

 vated fields are patrolled during the day by the Swifts and 

 Swallows and during the night by the Whippoorwills and 

 Nighthawks. All of these spend hours upon the wing, 

 continually catching the myriads of winged insects that fly 

 from place to place. The service thus rendered is of in- 

 calculable value, and every one should strive to protect 

 these feathered friends from enemies of every sort. 



It is commonly believed that the Hawks and Owls are 

 enemies of the farmer, to be destroyed whenever possible. 

 But the careful studies and observations of many com- 

 petent observers show that a majority of these birds are 

 friends whose presence we could scarcely afford to lose. 

 They destroy great numbers of mice and insects, and in 

 Europe are recognized as beneficial birds. 



The Marsh Hawk is one of the most useful birds of 

 prey, and deserves man's protection. " Its food," writes 

 Dr. A. K. Fisher, "consists largely of small rodents, such 

 as meadow mice, half-grown squirrels, rabbits, and ground 

 squirrels." The stomach of a New Hampshire specimen 

 that I examined was full of grasshoppers. 



The Sparrow Hawk is a small species that feeds almost 

 wholly upon insects, chiefly grasshoppers, when these can 



