96 STRIGID^E : OWLS. 



HAWK OWL; DAY OWL. 

 SURNIA FUNEREA (L.) Rich, and Sw. 



Chars. 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 

 ashy, margined with black. Length about 16.00 ; extent, 32.00 ; 

 wing, 9.00 ; tail, 7.00, graduated, the lateral feathers 2 inches 

 shorter than the central. Except in the length of its tail, which 

 produces linear measurements unusual for a bird of its bulk in 

 this family, its general form is that of the Snowy Owl. Like that 

 species, it is a bird of Arctic regions, coming southward in winter, 

 but its range is more restricted, rarely extending to the Middle 

 States. It is the most diurnal bird of the family, ranging abroad 

 at all times, and approaches a hawk more nearly than any other. 



The Hawk Owl doubtless inhabits the woods of 

 Northern New England as a permanent resident, and 

 has actually been observed in Maine during the breed- 

 ing season ; but I am not aware of authentic advices, as 

 yet, of its nesting within our limits. It is recorded from 

 each of the other States, excepting Rhode Island. In 

 Connecticut, it was unknown until 1869, when Dr. F. W. 

 Hall procured a specimen in November (Merriam, B. 

 Conn., 1877, p. 73). In Massachusetts it is a rare and 

 irregular winter visitor, but has been on the books since 

 1833 at least; Mr. Allen gives several instances (Am. 

 Nat., iii, 1869, p. 569) ; I have a specimen taken near 

 Amherst, and Mr. Maynard mentions two examples 

 (Birds E. N. A., 1881, p. 278). Further north, the bird 

 becomes one of regular occurrence in winter. The nest 

 is usually placed in trees ; it is composed of sticks, lined 

 with hay, grass and feathers ; the eggs are four to six 

 in number, 1.50 to 1.62 long X 1.20 to 1.30 in breadth. 



