ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
579 
Far too little is yet definitely known in regard to the real economic relations 
of nearly all birds of prey to satisfactorily determine whether they render more 
of service than of injury. In tlie “Report on the practicability of establishing 
a close time for the protection of Indigenous Animals," tliere is no doubt 
expressed in regard to the great utility of Owls, it being there affirmed 
that these birds are of tlie greatest use to the agricultui’ist in destroying 
the small mammals which injure his crops. However serviceable Owls 
may be to the agriculturist in England in destroying noxious mammals, 
the evidence in regard to the food of the Little Barn Owl, as determined by Dr. 
Altum, indicates that it is nearly as destructive to useful auimala as it is to those 
which are detrimental. It will be seen that of the remains of 2,562 small animals 
discovered in the pellets which Dr. Altum examined, there were the remains of 
1,204 Bats, Shrews, Moles and birds, all of which are insectivorous, and, there¬ 
fore, presumably beneficial — and especially so since the mammals are nocturnal. 
In view of the fact that field-mice do not appear to become more abundant in 
thickly settled districts, as Hawks and Owls diminish in numbers, it is evident 
that there are other powerful checks which oppose them, and that an Owl or 
Hawk which feeds extensively upon bats, shrews, moles or birds must be 
regarded as injurious so far as its food is concerned, even though it may be more 
destructive to rats and mice than to these animals. The destruction of one 
field-mouse cannot compensate for the life of a bat or mole. 
Dr. Brewer regards the Barn Owl as one of our most useful birds, and at¬ 
tributes its rarity in the Eastern States, and its thoughtless destruction, to short¬ 
sighted and mistaken prejudice. It is certainly to be hoped that the opinion of 
Dr. Brewer will be speedily confirmed, but facts, so far as we know them, and 
the great need of a more ample abundance of small birds, do not appear to bear 
him out. 
Food: The stomach of one contained four mice (Wilson). Shrews, moles and 
field-mice (De Kay). Principally field-mice and rats (Audubon). Rats, mice and 
other mischievous and injurious vermin (Brewer). 
154. Bubo Virginianus (Gm.), Bp. GREAT HORNED OWL. Group Ilf. 
Class b. 
This powerful bird is a resident throughout the year and chiefly a forest bird. 
It is quite common, and often killed out of mere curiosity. Dr. Brewer states 
that it is one of the most destructive of the dej)redators upon the poultry yard, 
far surpassing in this respect our Hawks. All of its mischief is done at night, 
when it is almost impossible to detect and punish it. 
Food: Chipmunks, striped-snakes and water-snakes. 
Young rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice. Partridges, the Golden-winged Wood¬ 
pecker, common Crow, and various other small birds and poultry (Wilson). The 
larger birds, poultry, and fish cast upon the shore (De Kay). Rabbits, Grouse 
and other birds; is very destructive to poultry roosting on trees (Samuels). 
Chiefly the larger gallinaceous birds, several species of ducks, hares, young 
opossums, squirrels, and fish cast upon the shore (Audubon). Shrews and 
arvicolce (Mr. Ross). Rabbits, mice, muskrats and Partridges (Mr. Gunn). Mr. 
Street, in experimenting upon a young caged bird, found it especiall}^ fond of 
fish and snakes, and was led to conclude that it does not prey upon quadrupeds 
larger than the hare, that it is rarely able to seize small birds, and that reptiles 
and fish form no inconsiderable portion of its food (Brewer). Dr. Hoy mentions 
an instance in which a fine Red-shouldered Hawk was killed and eaten by a 
caged specimen of this species. 
