A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 
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91. Turkey Buzzard, Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura). 
Common. 
92. Swaelow-tailEd Kite ( Blanoidcs forficatus ). 
Occurs as a summer resident in the forest-covered portion 
of the county. A single individual seen by the writer at 
Elk Lake near the northeastern corner of Becker County 
in July, 1902. 
93. Marsh Hawk, Marsh Harrier ( Circus hudsonius). 
A common bird seen hunting low over the marshes and 
prairies. Its food consists largely of meadow mice, frogs, 
snakes and large insects. It is therefore a useful bird and 
should not be thoughtlessly destroyed. 
94. Sharp-shinned Hawk ( Accipiter velox). 
This trim little hawk is a summer resident and fair¬ 
ly common. It is rapid of flight and daring in pursuit 
of its prey. It is powerful for its size and destroys many 
birds and where opportunity offers does much damage 
among young poultry. 
95. Cooper’s Hawk ( Accipiter coopcrii). 
Common. Resembling the last species, but decidedly larg¬ 
er. Often called “Hen Hawk.” It works much havoc 
among wild birds and poultry. 
96. American Goshawk ( Accipiter atricapillus). 
Found chiefly in the winter time, but a few may breed in 
the heavy forests. A large, powerful bird that preys al¬ 
most entirely upon rabbits, squirrels, grouse, ducks and 
poultry when the opportunity offers. 
This hawk, together with the last two species and the 
Duck Hawk, to be mentioned later, are the outlaws among 
the diurnal birds of prey. They do far more harm in se¬ 
curing their chosen quarry, than can be condoned by the 
small amount of good they do in the destruction of in¬ 
jurious rodents and other animals. In the case of all the 
other hawks the balance is in their favor and they are 
of real benefit to the farmer and are worthy of protec¬ 
tion even if they do destroy an occasional domestic fowl. 
97. Red-tailed Hawk, “Hen Hawk,” “Chicken Hawk” ( Butco 
borealis). 
This is a common bird, forming the great bulk of the large 
hawks seen during the summer time. It is a valuable ally 
