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A Pioneer History of Becker County. 
of the farmer, feeding as it does almost entirely upon 
gophers, squirrels, mice, grasshoppers and other insects 
with a few snakes, lizards and frogs, and, less frequently, 
wild birds and poultry. However, its few harmful deeds 
give it a bad name and it is relentlessly pursued and de¬ 
stroyed by every poultry raiser, when the real offender is 
usually one of the smaller species mentioned above. 
A light colored variety of this bird, known as Krider’s 
Hawk, and a dark western form, known as the Western 
Red Tail, may be looked for as of occasional occurrence. 
98. Red-shoulderEd Hawk ( Butco lincatus). 
A more southern species probably occurring occasionally 
in the summer time. 
99. Swainson’s Hawk, Grasshopper Hawk ( Butco szvainsonii ). 
A common species. This bird feeds almost exclusively on 
striped gophers and mice, grasshoppers and crickets. At 
times it destroys large numbers of locusts and large grass¬ 
hoppers, which it secures by beating low over the prairie 
and seizing them as they fly up from the ground. It is 
thus an eminently beneficial bird and should be recognized 
and carefully protected. 
100. Broad-winged Hawk ( Butco playptcrus). 
A medium sized hawk that rarely kills birds and is dis¬ 
tinctly of benefit to the agricultural interests. An abundant 
species. 
101. American Rough-legged Hawk ( Archibutco lagopus sancti- 
joliannis ). 
A winter bird, feeding extensively upon mice and other 
small rodents. 
The Ferruginous Rough-legged or Squirrel Hawk, a 
western species, may occasionally occur as a straggler. 
102. Golden Eagle (Aquila chyscctos ). 
Chiefly a winter bird in the United States, but Prof. Cooke 
tells us that he has seen them in Becker County, presum¬ 
ably at White Earth Agency, as late as the first of June ; 
which would seem to indicate that they formerly, if not at 
present, bred in the secluded parts of the county. 
103. Bald Eagle (Halicctus leucoccphalus ). 
Once rather common. Now restricted to a few pairs, nest¬ 
ing amid the wildest surroundings. A pair has nested 
