1893.] Recent Literature. 127 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
Hawks and Owls of the United States.'— This volume is a 
report on the Hawks and Owls of the United States, by Mr. A. K. 
. Fisher, with reference to the economie status of the various species. 
Of it Mr. C. Hart Merriam makes the following statement in his letter 
of transmissal to the Secretary of Agriculture. 
“This work was written several years ago, but was withheld. from 
publieation 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 mam- 
mals, 27 per cent insects, and only 33 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 appar- 
ent, and the importance of an accurate knowledge of the economie 
status of our common birds and mammals is overwhelmingly demon- 
strated.’ 
Fresh Water Algze and the Desmidiez of the United 
‘The Hawks and Owls of the United Stateg in vid Relation to pos 
ture. By A. K. Fisher. "Bull. No. 3, Div. Ornith. & Mam., U. S. Dept 
Agric., Washington, 1893. 
