ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIRDS TO THE STATE. 



27 



Broad-winged Hawk {Buteo platypterus). — The name "Chicken Hawk" is also 

 applied to our Broad-winged Hawk, a somewhat smaller species than the two pre- 

 ceding, but closely related to them ; but examination of 65 stomachs of this bird 

 failed to show that one bird of the number had eaten poultry. The Broad-wing's 

 note is a high, thin, long-drawn, piercing whistle. 



Summary of the Contents of 65 Stomachs of t lie Broad-winged Hawk. {From Fisher.) 



2 stomachs contained small birds. 

 15 stomachs contained mice. 

 13 stomachs contained other mammals. 



1 1 stomachs contained reptiles. 



13 stomachs contained -batrachians. 

 30 stomachs contained insects. 



2 stomachs contained earth worms. 



4 stomachs contained crawfish. 



7 stomachs were empty. 



Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius). — When we study the food of our so-called 

 Sparrow Hawk, we find it is a truly insectivorous bird as will be seen from the 

 appended table : 



Summary of the Contents of J20 Stomachs of the Sparrow Hawk. {From Fisher.) 



1 stomach contained a game bird. 

 53 stomachs contained other birds. 

 89 stomachs contained mice. 



12 stomachs contained other mammals. 



12 stomachs contained reptiles or batrachians. 



215 stomachs contained insects. 



29 stomachs contained spiders. 



29 stomachs were empty. 



Marsh Hawk [Circus hudsonius). — A Hawk frequently observed, because of its 

 habits of hunting in the open, is the Marsh Hawk ; he may be known by the white 

 patch at the base of his tail above, which shows conspicuously as he flies. This 

 species is a mouser, as appears from the following summary of the contents of 124 

 stomachs : 



