OF NEW ENGLAND. 343 
general scarcity and shyness, their 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 with 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 
yet been written. I have seen it but once, and can add little 
or nothing to former accounts. These birds, like several other 
species, inhabit the Arctic regions, not only 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 bred in Maine. They are 
noted, not only for their physiognomy, 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 than 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, apparently 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 it 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.” 
(@)s “clts noteris' said tovbe’a shrilliery, 6* ;*).*.”+ Dr. 
Brewer.) 
IX. SPHEOTYTO 
(A) cunicuLaRIA (var. HYPOGzA). Burrowing Owl. Prai- 
rie Owl. 
(One shot in Massachusetts, at Newburyport, May 4, 1875.) 
3 The authority for this statement is Mr. R. Deane. 
