The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-10-06
TRUTH ABOUT THE HAWKS.
FRIENDS MLST1KEN FOR ENE-
MES.
How 30 Tell the Hawks That do Good
and TisosC That do Harm.

| kee-ou, kee-ou, or fiercer, shrlller
scream of kee-ee-e, in early spring, or
still more frequently in late August and
September. draws your attention sky
ward. There high above you, some-
times a mere speck in the blue, you see
a dark silhouet ascending and descend
ing In fascinating spiras or wheeling
dreamily in broad circles. 1t is the red
shouldered hawk or his red-tatled con-
gener. OF our eight common hawks
these two are perhaps the most plenti-
full, at least they are oftenest seen by
the ordinary observer and most warred
against by farmers and others.
When not dsporting itself high in
air, the red -shouldered hawk is usually
! found in more or less wooded districts,
| especially near water. but the red-tailed
hawk may be seen on trees along the
road or upon fences or even sitting on
the ground In the fields When soar
ing, the red-tail may be distinguished
| by it's larger size, it's cry of tee-ee-e,
and the black band near the end Of its
white tipped tail. The tail Of the red
shouldered species has four or five
bands across the TAIL and they are
white instead of black. 1t Is only from
| above that the tail Of the one and the
| bend of the wing or shoulder OF the
other appear red or rufous. 1t Is stated
| that one of these birds has been
watched from seven in the morning un-
til four In the afternoon, during which
time 1t sailed without once alighting.
Both of them build their nests from
thirty to seventy feet from the ground,
in trees, returning to the same home
year after year, and it seems we'll es-
tabished that they mate for life. Both
are common, permanent residents In
this latitude.
In spite of the advance made In eco
nomlc ornithology In the last few years,
the generality of farmers still regard
hawks and owls as enemies to be sum-
marily dealt with whenever opportuni-
ty offers but as matter of fact they
are among the farmers best friends.
DR.. A. X. Fisher, for the department of
agriculture at washington, examined
the stomachs of a large number or
hawks and owls OF $50 red-tailed
hawks examined, less than 10 per cent
had been eating poultry or game birds
while so per cent had been eating mice.
23 per cent. had been eating other man.
mails. including squirrels, gophers rab-
bits, etc, and is per cent. had fed on
snakes frogs and insects OF two hum
dred and twenty Of the red-shouIdered
species. only three had robbed farmer
or sportsman, while one hundred and
two stomachs contained mice, and one
hundred and eight Insects
Somewhat smaller than either Of
these varieties Is the broadwinged
hawk. a tolerably common resident.
Dark brown Is the prevailing color
above, with under parts strongly barred
with brown, and two white bars across
the white-tlpped tail Far less wary
than most of Its race, 1t may be readily
approached, and when 1t Is at last dis
turbed, it's rather sluggish flight is but
Of short duration. Of the entire num-
Der examined by Dr. Foster, not one
had been guilty of stealing chickens,
the food of almost all having been mice,
reptiles, frogs or insects,
Another member of the family which
is most beneficial to the farmer Is the
marsh hawk or barrier. Nearly the
size of the red-tail, 1t may be known by
its low, seemingly uncertain flight and
its white rump. All indications point
to a life partnership between the mates,
but like wise husband the male annu-
ally renews the ardors of courtship,
which Ernest e. Thompson thus de-
scribes: Sometimes he scars to a
great hight, then falls straight down.
ward nearly to the ground, turning sew
eral somersaults during the descent,
and uttering at the game time a reite-
rated screeching. At other times he
flies across the marsh In a course which
would outline a gigantic saw, each Of
the descending parts being done in a
and accompanied by the |
notes, which form the only
love song within the range of his limi- |
ted vocal powers" His devotion is not |
limited to the ante-nuptial period. but |
he tolls with his Wife in building the |
nest, in the duties Of incubation. and in |
feeding the young The barrier is al |
ways to be looked for In the omen |
grounds and marshes. never in the |
woods. Unlike all others of its race. |
its nest is placed on the ground.
Over a deserted field or pasture Won |
may sometimes see a rather handsome
bird not much larger than a robin