concerning the Birds of Massachusetts. 95 
spirited group given by Audubon, in the act of plucking and 
devouring ducks, are not, apparently, in any way distinguishable 
from the European bird; but are they drawn from the American 
individuals? It is possible, as in the case of the Goshawk, that 
the United States may again produce another ambiguous link in 
the genus. 
Falco hiemalis, (The Winter Falcon,) and Falco lineatus, (The 
Red-shouldered Hawk.) By Bonaparte the latter is considered 
as the young of the former, but we do not know for what 
reason. In the latter the tail has five white bars; in the former, 
about nine pale brown stripes. Can the same Species vary so 
much in the comparative length and markings of the tail? 
Strix scandiaca, Lr. (Great Black and White Eared Owl, 
or Scandinavian Eared Owl.) With the plumage entirely white, 
sprinkled with black spots. Of the size of a Turkey, and 
in all respects nearly like the Snowy Owl, with the exception of 
the ears. A very doubtful species taken up by Linneus, appar- 
ently from a painting of Rudbeck’s, though seen since by Mr. 
Tonning of Drontheim. It is enumerated by the late William 
Bartram in his list of the birds of the United States. A bird 
very similar to this description has been seen in the vicinity of 
Cambridge. Any information tending to establish its existence 
would be very acceptable to naturalists, as well as any remarks 
concerning its cry or habits. 
Strix cinerea, (Great Sooty Owl.) Of a dark sooty color, 
mottled with whitish; the face dark ash-colored, with many nar- 
row black concentric circles; the tail extending beyond the 
wings, both of which are crossed with bordered bands and 
scattered with zigzag lines; the bill yellowish; the irids yellow. 
