The Coolidge examiner., 1934-09-14

generated by winds. 4 NpEe birds
frequently soar for hours with
scarcely a wing beat turning and
wheeling In the sky. often az such
attitudes that they appear as mere
specks against the blue
The turkey vulturc Is a we'll
known species that ls particularly
ADEPT Ia this art In fact. Il ands
this method % progression so
adapted 20 SIS needs that frequently
IL remains In iis roosi through the
day when the AIR Is heavy and still.
The falcons have longer. more
pointed wings that enable them 10
ny with great speed. and. though
they may enjoy soaring. they DO not
practice this 50 constantly as the
other hawks The larger species
can capture the swlfteSi dying sand
pipcrs aud ducks on the wing with
out the slightest dlflculiy.
The food ot birds OF the hawk
group IL highly varied. though Il Is
taken entirely from the animal
kingdom. The larger species of
falcons subslsi mainly on various
kinds OF birds and small mammals.
but the smaller klnd. such as spar
row hawks and falconets. eat liz
cards. grasshopperS and other in.
Secis. and mice. The bearded vul-
lures OF the Old world are said
20 carry turtles aud large bones
from the carcaSses of dead animals
90 a great height. in order 70 drop
them on rocks. where they break
open 50 that the bird can eat the
marrow.
Some species OF hawks. par,icu-
iarly certain forms that range IN
the tropics. eat snakes as their
principal food. There is one group
OF species found In India and ad.
jacent regions IN which this habit
Is 30 constant that the birds are
known as serpent eagles" The
osprey and some OF the sea eagles
confine their attention mainly 10
nsh. which they capture alive By
plunging after them as they sp-
proaeh the surface Of the water
The powerful harpy eagle feeds reg
ularly on monkeys
The golden eagle. one OF the most
powerful OF American birds OF prey.
has varied menu. Where prairie
dogs are present In large numbers.
these are favored food: n pair Of
eagles will destroy several hundred
In the course OF season. AZ times
they turn to sharp-tailed grouse
when these are abundant. proving
a scourge 20 the fiocks Jack rab-
bits. eot.ontails. marmots, and
ground squirrels are killed in large
numbers.
They also attack lambs and
fawns on occasion. and one observ-
er records that three golden eagles
working together pulled down and
killed a prong horn antelope during
severe winter weather when other
food was scarce. They will kill
and eat coyotes caught In traps. and
will also steal the bait when wolf
traps are baited with meat Snakes
and Wild ducks. and an occasional
goose. also may figure In their diet
Hawk Tribe Always Hunted.
The hand OF civilized man has
been raised universally against the
hawk tribe. and birds OF this group
are shot or otherwise destroyed al
every opportunity. II Is rare. In
deed. for hawks 10 come within gun
range OF a hunter without receiving
a charge OF shot. and they are
killed In many localities by setting
steel traps on the tops OF posts or
poles that the birds utilize as
perches.
The majestic bald eagle. our ma
tional bird. has fallen under the
dlsplessure OF some farmers and
has been rather relentIessly hunted.
Bird lovers have taken up the
nght on behalf OF this great bird OF
freedom. declaring that he has been
misreprssented and that his occa-
slonal thefts OF poultry are more
than Offset by services in keeping
our beaches clear OF dead fish.
The nlsht and appearance OF
hawks and other birds. and certain
OF their anatomical features, were
used By the augurs OF ancient Rome
In their prophecies OF the future. A
more practical use of these birds
was found among the North Ameri-
can Indians. particularlyof the Plains
and Pueblo groups. when beautiful
headdresses were made from the
large feathers Of the golden eagle.
and other ornaments and decora-
tons were fashioned from the
smaller feathers of this bird and
from the feathers Of hawks.