LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy, 



Washington, D. C, October 5, 1892. 



Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith, as Bulletin IsTo. 3 of this 

 Division, a report on the Hawks and Owls of the United States, with 

 special reference to the economic status of the various species, by 

 Dr. A. K. Fisher, assistant ornithologist. 



This work was written several years ago, but was withheld from 

 publication until provision could be made for suitable reproduction of 

 the colored illustrations, without which the bulletin would have been 

 of comparatively little value to the class of readers for whose benefit 

 it was specially prepared. 



The statements herein contained respecting the food of the various 

 hawks and owls are based on the critical examination, by scientific 

 experts, of the actual contents of about 2,700 stomachs of these birds, and 

 consequently may be fairly regarded as a truthful showing of the normal 

 food of each species. The result proves that a class of birds commonly 

 looked upon as enemies to the farmer, and indiscriminately destroyed 

 whenever occasion offers, really rank among his best friends, and with 

 few exceptions should be preserved, and encouraged to take up their 

 abode in the neighborhood of his home. Only six of the 73 species 

 and subspecies of hawks and owls of the United States are injurious. 

 Of these, three are so extremely rare they need hardly be considered, 

 and another (the Fish Hawk) is only indirectly injurious, leaving but 

 two (the Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks) that really need be taken 

 into account as enemies to agriculture. Omitting the six species that 

 feed largely on poultry and game, 2,212 stomachs were examined, of 

 which 56 per cent contained mice and other small mammals, 27 per 

 cent insects, and only 3J per cent poultry or game birds. In view of 

 these facts the folly of offering bounties for the destruction of hawks 

 and owls, as has been done by several States, becomes apparent, and 

 the importance of an accurate knowledge of the economic status of our 

 common birds and mammals is overwhelmingly demonstrated. 

 Respectfully, 



0. Hart Merriam, 



Chief of Division. 



Hon. J. M. Rusk, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



