HAWKS
(By Ellsworth D. Lumley, Biology Department, Great Falls High School, Great Falls, Montana.)
THEIR UNJUST CONDEMNATION.
Few birds have been as severely and unjustly condemned as have our hawks. Erroneous statements regarding their food habits have started the many rumours now prevalent that all hawks are “chicken hawks” and should be killed. Without attempting to find if there is not some good in the hawk tribe the whole race is condemned. While it is true that a few song birds and fewer game birds and poultry are eaten by hawks, yet an examination of their stomach shows few birds eaten compared to the many mammals consumed. The mammals consist chiefly of the most destructive rodents the farmer has to contend with, namely mice, rats, rabbits, etc. Upon further investigation, we find that all of the hawks are condemned for the actions of a few. The reasoning of most people has been about as accurate as though we were to condemn the whole human race for the actions of a few gangsters.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/FORBI19370801.2.19
Bibliographic details
Forest and Bird, Issue 45, 1 August 1937, Page 15
Word Count
172HAWKS Forest and Bird, Issue 45, 1 August 1937, Page 15
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