OF NEW ENGLAND. 343 



general scarcity and shyness, tlieir life of solitude and retire- 

 ment, their frequent residence in inaccessible or little frequented 

 places, and their silence during the greater part of the year, 

 render it difficult to become intimate vvitli their habits or, in 

 some cases, with their notes. Such is eminently the case with 

 the Hawk Owl, of whom apparently no adequate biography has 

 j-et been written. I have seen it but once, and can add little 

 or nothing to former accounts. These birds, like several otiier 

 species, inhabit the Arctic regions, not onl}' of America, but 

 also of the Old World. They very rarely visit Massachusetts, 

 though "■ not uncommon in northern New England in autumn 

 or winter" and said to have even bi'ed in Maine. They are 

 noted, not only for their physiognoni}-, which corresponds to 

 their mode of life, but for their habit of hunting during the 

 day like a hawk. It is probable, however, that they see well 

 at night, as the one which I observed was active at dusk. His 

 flight was much like that of a small hawk, and seemed less 

 absolutely noiseless tlian that of other owls. Mr. Dall, as 

 quoted by Dr. Brewer, says of this species " that it is very 

 fond of flying, towards dusk, from the top of one small spruce 

 to another, apparentl}^ swinging or balancing itself, calling to 

 its mate at intervals, while chasing or being chased by it." 

 Dr. Richardson says : "When the hunters are shooting Grous, 

 this bird is occasionally attracted by the report of the gun, and 

 is often bold enough, on a bird being killed, to pounce down 

 upon it, though il may be unable from its size to carry it off. 

 It is also known to hover round the fires made by the natives 

 at night." 



(c?). " Its note is said to be a shrill cry, * * * ." (Dr. 

 Brewer.) 



IX. SPHEOTYTO 



(A) cuNicuLARiA {vcii'. iiypoo^a). BmToiving Old. Prai- 

 rie Old. 



(One shot in Massachusetts, at Newbur3-port, May 4, 1875.3) 



, ^ 



° The authority for this statement is Mr. R. Deane. 



