16 INTRODUCTION. 



t ions of this, the true < Chicken Hawk/ together with those of its smaller 

 congener, the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Both species feed almost exclu- 

 sively on the flesh of either domesticated or wild birds. When they 

 find a farm where chickens can be captured with impunity they make 

 daily excursions to it, and unless killed will sometimes nearly depopu- 

 late the yard. Domesticated pigeons are particularly sought after by 

 Cooper's Hawk, and when a keen-eyed individual once locates a cote 

 the destruction to the inmates is great. Quails and young grouse are 

 also favorite food of both of these hawks. 



In one direction their fondness for the flesh of birds promises to be 

 of great benefit to the country, namely, in the destruction of English 

 sparrows. Both of these hawks have learned from experience that a 

 desirable food and one easy to obtain is to be found in the towns, 

 hence it is not an uncommon sight, even in the streets of our large 

 cities, to see one of them dash into a flock of sparrows. This, however, 

 is the only benefit conferred upon mankind by Cooper's and the Sharp- 

 shinned Hawks, for they very rarely attack mammals and insects. 

 Their small size, daring, and rapid flight render them easily recogniz- 

 able, and they need seldom be mistaken for their innocent relations. 

 Unquestionably both species should be destroyed whenever and when- 

 ever possible. 



The Gyrfalcons, the largest and most powerful of the true falcons, 

 are rarely seen within our borders, and then only in winter. They feed 

 largely upon ptarmigan, grouse, waterfowl, hares, and poultry when 

 the latter is available, and occasionally on small mammals. 



The Duck Hawk is another powerful falcon, and one closely related 

 to the famous Peregrine Falcon of the Old World, which was used so 

 extensively in falconry in L ye olden time.' As its name implies, it is 

 a persistent follower of waterfowl and, when these are available, it 

 takes little else as food. In default of waterfowl it will attack poultry 

 and, in fact, birds of any sort even down to the smallest insectivorous 

 species. Like others of the class, little can be said in its favor. For- 

 tunately for the poultry yards and game coveys this falcon is rare in 

 most parts of the United States ; in fact the Sharp- shinned and 

 Cooper's Hawks are the only two of the destructive species which are 

 at all common throughout the greater part of the United States and 

 southern Canada. 



The Fish Hawk, although a magnificent bird and one that lends at- 

 tractiveness to many a scene by sea and river, can not be classed as a 

 useful species, from an economic standpoint. It eats fish, and fish only, 

 and is often a nuisance to the fish culturist. Moreover, while unques- 

 tionably its food is largely comprised of the inferior species of fish, some 

 of the most useful kinds, as trout, bass, mullet, and others fall victims 

 to its splendid powers as a fisher. If its fine presence and magnificent 

 flight do not sufficiently plead in its favor, then it must be put on the 

 black list. 



