Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-04


one of the largest species. feeds exclusively IN
the smaller rodents and the number % meadow
mice it destroys is well nigh inoalculsble. II
passes under the name OF hen hawk. though n
never DESTROYED hen or chicken IN ats life.
The marsh hawk Is one OF the first in economic
Importance, being abundant slmo't everywhere
In the United States. IL can be rec
ognized by its long slim form and
from the manner in which u beats hack
and forth oeer the prairies. marshes and mea-
dows IN search OF ground squirrels and mice,
OF which Il annually DESTROYS vast numbers. DC
casioaally II seizes small birds aud once in o
while a stray chicken. but the harm IL does l.
inconsderable The buzZard hawk, which in
clude nine species. are large. sluggish aud too
slow OF wing 70 secure such agile prey Wild
birds or even poultry Their food consists OF
small mammals, insects, snakes. toads and
frogs.
The red shouldered hawk. which occasionally
attacks poultry, Is one OF the most onni,orous
of birds OF prey. eating with relish mice lirds,
snakes, frogs. fishes, grasshoppers. cenupede..
spiders. crawhEh, earthworfns. sua.ls. &c. AZ
least 90 per cent of its food consists nf injurious
mammals. 1t also has the name Of ''hen
hawk, without sufficient reason. The broad
winged hawk feeds largely on insects. DESTROY
ing vast numbers OF grasshoppers and en- ksts
IL Is especially fond OF the lnryR 81 the large
moths which feed on the leaves Of fruit ana
shace trees. Rarely attacking birds A. devours
NilhnNt. Anafi-. anu NfnN fNlf ffa.
Along the river front near Washington where
recent improvements have redeemed several
hundred acres of land from the tidal fats. IN
MANY places rank vegcta tion rs. grow IN AZ
fording shelter and -ustenance 20 h1rdes q
mice. At presen; in winter and IN early sprlug
IL Is not uncommon tosee ten or fifteen red-tailad
hawks on this fat, attracted thither by the
abundance Of their natural food.
Eagles are nothing more thRn bug hawks
The golden eagles food u mainly com osed %
such large mammals and birds A. Rabbit, ls-nbs.
turkeys and grouse. A hungry eagle would
doubtless carry of Young baby. II 10 found
one unprotected. but Il would not convey the
infant 20 its nest uninjured after the manner
described in many fnnciful stories. 4 bird "
prey always strikes its tgloUs deeply into it's
quarry before bearing IL oH The iavorl,e diet
OF the bad eagle. which has been chosen ~ the
national bird. is f-h. but il will also devour
creatures that wear fur aud feathers. An eagle
of this kind shot on the shore OK Hamilton bav
Lake Ontario. had the bieached skull Of "a wea-
sci dangling from it, neck, the teeth firmly set
IN the skin of its throat
THE SQUIRREL HAWK.
a near relative of the rouShleg. hrs received il.
name because Of its londness Tor ground sauir-
rels. which 30 terribly destructive to crop.
in the far west. Some suecies OF hawks. a.
sWGinsons, can be domesticatod. The rough
leg is mild in disposition. and. even when tASen
full grown. 1t may be timed in a few dave 80
that it will take food from the hand and
will allow its head and back TO be struked.
When Gagged with hawks of other kinds IL vii
not usually fight for the food. but waits unta
the Others have finished before II begins
to eat. The fish hawk is gentle bird
and never molests other species, even allowing
grackles and night herons 60 build their meet.
and rear their young in the intersiices of it,
own nest. All rapacions birds are slow breeder.
and probably none OF them rears two broods
IN year The young grow slowly, STAY long
In the nest and have enormous apfeti.e-
taxing the energy Of their parent.
10 provide for them. nr A a.
Fisher of the division of mammalogv and or
anthology in the Department OF Agriculture Ne
the author of the bulletin from which ,he..
interesting facts are obtained. RENE BAcuE.