500 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



111., (1853-54). Nelson gives it as " a rare winter resident" and writes: 

 " Dr. J. W. Velie tells me that he obtained a specimen in Kane 

 County. 111., the first of September, 1869." (Birds. N. E. 111., 1876, 

 p. 117.) 



Kumlien and Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 72) give it as "A 

 very rare winter visitant in southern Wisconsin, more frequent in the 

 northern part, especially of late years. Recorded from Racine by 

 Dr. Hoy and from the same place by Thure Kumlien, who received 

 a specimen from there killed in the winter of 1869. Several were also 

 taken about Lake Koshkonong at an early day. Mr. J. N. Clark 

 has taken the Hawk Owl twice at Meridian, in April, 1885, and in 

 December, 1900. In the winter of 1892, we received three specimens 

 from Bayfield County. A specimen in the Milwaukee Public Museum 

 is labelled. Fox Point, Milwaukee, Wisconsin." 



Unlike our other owls, the Hawk Owl is diurnal in its habits, and 

 in its home in the far north it may be observed in the daytime, 

 perched after the manner of a hawk on some commanding stump, 

 watching for its pray. Dr. C. Hart Merriam in writing of the 

 species says: " In the vicinity of Hudson Bay during the winter 

 season, the White Ptarmigan {Lagopiis albus) constitutes its chief 

 article of diet; and it is said to follow the hunter, pouncing upon 

 his game before he has time to reach it." (Review of Birds of Conn., 

 1877, p. 73-) 



