HAWK OWL— DAY OWL. 151 



winter than at other seasons. In Nova Scotia the Hawk Owl is 

 a winter visitant, and has not been met with in summer. Dr. 

 J. Gilpin of Halifax, X.S . who has kindly sent me a manuscript 

 list of the Rapacious Birds of that Province, states that during 

 some winters the Hawk Owls are ver)- common, and then scarce 

 for a number of years. He has only observed them in the winter 

 season. Being a day-flying species, this Owl is generally at once 

 observed, and we consequently cannot conjecture — as we do 

 respecting some of the nocturnal species — that it may occur more 

 abundantly than we know of. The bird is undoubtedly rare in 

 the inhabited and more temperate parts of Canada, and the name 

 of " Canada Owl " is far more applicable to the Barred Owl 

 (S. nebulosum), which, as we have seen, is abundanth.and univer- 

 sally diffused. 



Coues states that the Hawk Owl is common during winter in 

 the northern half of New England, and "known to breed in some 

 parts of Maine ; " and Mr. Samuels affirms that he " has known 

 several specimens to be taken in \^ermont and New Hampshire," 

 and expresses his conviction that it breeds occasionally in the 

 New Ensfland States. Neither of these statements, however, as 

 to its breedinsf are borne out bv records of actual observation, nor 

 is the name given of one person who has himself seen the eggs 

 cr nest. The fact, if correct, of its being a resident bird in 

 Newfoundland certainly gives some color to the statement of its 

 breeding in Maine, but some further evidence is still required. 



I have seen several of these birds on the island of Montreal, 

 and on Nuns' Island, in the St. Lawrence, opposite this city. 

 They prey largely upon mice, squirrels, and birds, but occasionally 

 when in the neighborhood of farm houses, make raids upon poultr}- 

 and tame pigeons. On the island last named I have met with 

 them on some of the coldest days in winter, and on one occasion 

 observed a pair most grievously tormenting a large Barred Owl. 

 The vision of the Hawk Owl is adapted to the day-light, and 

 even the strongest sun-light, and it takes no ordinary sportsman 

 to circumvent them. Thev are, however, extremelv bold birds, 

 and in the fur countries are said to follow the hunters, and often 



