64 



U. S. p. R. R EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



SURNIA, Dumeril. 



Surnia, Di'MERil, Zoologie Analytiqiie, p. 34, (1806.) 



General form rather long, but robust ; size, medium. Head moderate, without car tyfts ; facial disc obsolete ; bill moderate, 

 curved from the base, covered with projecting plumes ; wings long ; tail long, wide, graduated ; legs rather short, and with the 

 toes densely feathered ; contains one species only, which inhabits the arctic regions of both continents. 



SURNIA ULULA, Linnaeus. 

 The Hawk Owl ; The Day Owl. 



Strix uUdit, Liv-J. Syst. Nat. I, p. 13.3. (1VG6., 

 Strix kudsonia, Gm. Syst. Nat. I, p. 295. (1788.) 

 Strix doliala, Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As. I, p. 316. (1811.) 

 " Sirixfunerea, Linn." — Aubcbon. 

 Figures.— Wilson Am. Cm. VI, pi. 50, fig. 6 ; Aud. B. of Am., pi. 378 : Oct. ed. I, pi. 27 ; Nat. Hist. New York, Birds, pi. 

 9, fig. 19 ; Gould B. of Eur. I, pi. 



Wings rather long ; first three quills incised on their inner webs ; tail long, with its central feathers about two inches 

 longer than the outer ; tarsi and toes densely feathered. Upper parts fuliginous brown, with numerous partially concealed 

 circular spots of white on the neck behind scapulars and wing coverts. Face grayish white ; throat white, with longitudinal 

 stripes of dark brown ; a large brown spot on each side of the breast ; other under parts with transverse lines or stripes of pale 

 ashy brown ; quills and tail brown, with transverse bands of white ; bill pale yellowish -, irides yellow. Color of upper parts 

 darker on the head, and the white markings more or less numerous in different specimens. 



Total length, female, 16 to 17 inches ; wing 9, tail 7 inches. Male rather smaller. 



Hab. — Northern regions of both continents ; Canada, (Dr. Hall;) Wisconsin, (Dr. Hoy;) Massaclmsetts, (Dr. Brewer.) 

 Spec, in Nat. Mas., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philadelphia. 



This. bird inhabits the arctic regions, and has been noticed as far north as explorers or 

 navigators have penetrated, migrating more southwardly in the winter season. It does not, 

 however, wander so extensively as the snowy owl, (Nycteanivea,) and is rarely seen as far south 

 as Pennsylvania. From the western countries of North America we have never seen this species. 



This remarkable bird partakes of the general appearance and habits also of both an owl and 

 a falcon, and is represented as being, to a considerable extent, diurnal in its habits, venturing 

 abroad boldly by daylight. Specimens from northern America and from northern Europe and 

 Asia are quite identical. 



List of specimens. 



The preceding descriptions embrace all the owls known to inhabit North America, and with 

 this family we close the order of rapacious birds. 



