Interior of British North America. 51 



Willow-grouse and American hares — the " white partridges ^' and 

 " rabbits " of their parlance ; and its audacity is such, that it 

 was related to me by a chief factor of the Hudson's Bay Company's 

 service, that he knew of an instance of one carrying off a wounded 

 bird from the haversack of a hunter ; its wing, having been 

 sticking out and fluttering, attracted the Owl's attention. I 

 observed the Snowy Owl in the neighbourhood of the forks of 

 the Saskatchawan as early as the 3rd of November. Mr. Ross 

 has found it breeding on the Mackenzie. 



18. SURNIA ULULA. 



The Hawk-Owl {' Ibis,' vol. iii. p. 320) is the most common 

 Owl of the interior, up to the Arctic Coast ; it is resident all 

 the winter through on the Saskatchawan, and extends thence to 

 Hudson's Bay. It is the same bird that inhabits Northern 

 Europe ; but I have not heard that it has yet been met with by 

 any ornithologist to the west of the Hocky Mountains. 



Order II. SCANSORES. 



I cannot find that any Cuckoo has been observed in the western 

 Indian country north of 49° ; but two species are known to in- 

 habit the Missouri Plains. 



19. PiCUS VILLOSUS. 



The Hairy Woodpecker, or its varieties, extends as far as 63° 

 N. lat. My two specimens ('Ibis,' vol. iv. p. 3) are of the larger 

 variety, and were obtained during winter. I have seen as many 

 as six holes, one above another, in an old burnt tree, the nest- 

 ing-places of this bird. 



20. PiCUS PUBESCENS. 



This and the preceding species are frequently to be met with 

 in company, as in the eastern part of the continent ; and while 

 the larger bird searches a good-sized poplar-tree in quest of its 

 insect prey, the smaller is as actively engaged within a few feet 

 on a dead or dying alder-bush. Besides my specimens {' Ibis,' 

 vol. iv. p. 3), both these birds are noted by Mr. Bernard Ross 

 on the Mackenzie. 



PiCOIDES ARCTICUS. 



The Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, besides being given 



e2 



