HAWKS.

Forest and Bird, Issue 12, 1 April 1927, Page 9

HAWKS.

Birds of prey, many really beneficial, but ignorantly supposed to be harmful, are being rapidly destroyed. The National Association of Audubon Societies, 1974, Broadway, New York City, calls attention in a special pamphlet to the need of an immediate, progressive campaign of education both in the schools and among farmers, sportsmen, and game breeders, in regard to the protection of these birds. In America the . round winged bird of prey, such as our Harrier, has been proved to do more good than harm, as the outcome of careful scientific testing of its food habits. The Harrier is not equipped to capture strong, active birds, and has to confine his appetite to weak and maimed birds. This bird of prey is, however, death on rats, mice, weasels, and other ground vermin, including rabbits. The Hawk is, however, a very prominent worker, and much damage is thus attributed to him which is really the work of the silent and nightworking ground vermin, including the cat. Those who control such matters would be well advised to have the food habits of Hawks properly scientifically tested before expending money on the destruction of Hawks, as undoubtedly better results would accrue were such money spent on holding down ground vermin, the numbers of which would astonish the merely casual observer.