AMERICAN HAWK OWL. 



237 



those we see in Ontario huxe merely come from some particular 

 locality where at certain seasons their food supph' has given out, 

 and they have to seek it elsewhere. The bulk of the species pass 

 the winter near the northern line of ti'ees. 



While at home in the north in summer, its food consists almost 

 exclusively of lemmings and mice, but in winter, when tliese can not 

 be had, it takes readily to fish, hares, rats, ducks, and even offal. 

 I once killed a large female which was so gorged with tallow that she 

 could scarcely fly. 



It has been classed in h as a friend of the farmer, but so little of 

 its time is spent in the agricultural districts that its iniiuence for 

 uood or ill is verv small. 



Genus SURNIA Du.mekil. 

 SURNIA ITLULA CAPAROCH (Mull.). 



167. American Hawk Owl. (377^^') 



Dark brown ; above, more or less thickly speckled with white ; below, closely 

 barred with brown and whitish, the throat alone streaked ; quills and tail, with 

 numerous white bars ; face, ashj-, margined with black. Length, about Hi 

 inches ; wing, 9 ; tail, 7, graduated, the lateral feathers 2 inches shorter tlian 

 the central. 



