582 
ECONOMIC EELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
163. Nyctala acadica (Gm.), Bp. ACADIAN OR SAW-WHET OWL. Group 
II. Class c. 
This exquisite little species does not appear to be abundant anywhere in the 
United States. I have obtained but a single specimen, and this was found dead 
near Whitewater, December 10,1877. Mr. Nelson speaks of its not uncommon 
occurrence in Illinois, and over a dozen specimens were taken in the city of 
Chicago within two years. It is seldom abroad by day and frequently comes 
about dwellings, but it is too diminutive to be destructive to poultry. 
Food: It is a dexterous mouser (Wilson). Small birds and insects (De Kay). 
Chiefly insects (Coues). 
Family FALCONIDJE: Hawks. 
Fia. 188. 
Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius). After Bd., Br. arid Ridg. 
164. Circus cyaneus Hudsonius (Linn.), Coues. MARSH HAWK; 
HARRIER. Group II. Class c. 
The Harrier is by far our most abundant representative of this family, and a 
summer resident. Most of its time is spent in soaring over treeless tracts in • 
quest of food, but marshes and the vicinity of water are its favorite resorts. It , 
lacks the spirit and dashing movement of Falcons, and for this reason is not as 
dangerous to mature birds; the young, however, of species which breed in 
marshes and meadows may suffer greatly from its depredations. Wilson states . 
that it makes sad havoc among the Rice Buntings m the South, and Audubon 
accuses it of feeding extensively upon the Swamp Sparrow in some localities, 
while Dr. Coues has found it particularly fond of frogs. It rarely molests' poul- ^ 
