214 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



frequently seen foraging for food in the twilight, it is but 

 occasionally abroad at night, except during moonlit even- 

 ings, when it may be occasionally seen careering through 

 the atmosphere, after the fashion of some of our Falconidic. 

 It hunts chiefly in the forenoon and in the evening, but 

 w r e have often discovered it engaged in this occupation 

 during all hours of the day. 



Its flight is firm, graceful, somewhat elevated, and 

 remarkably prolonged. It resembles, in the general bearing 

 of its movements, Tinnunculus sparvcrius, but is less 

 quiet than is usual for owls. It, however, is less shy 

 than hawks usually are, and can be approached while on 

 its perch with comparative ease ; but when disturbed 

 by the report of a gun, or otherwise, unlike the latter, it 

 will repeatedly return -to the same position as if determined 

 to occupy it at all hazards. 



We have never heard the note of this Owl. Dr. Brewer 

 compares it to a shrill exclamation not dissimilar to the cry 

 of the European Kestrel. It is generally produced upon the 

 wing. Mr. Dall, as stated by Dr. Brewer, says "it is very fond 

 of flying, towards dusk, from the top of one tall spruce to 

 another, apparently swinging or balancing itself, calling to 

 its mate at intervals, while chasing or being chased by it." 



.The food of this species consists mainly of mice, but birds, 

 lizards, and insects, are also eaten. The following articles 

 constitute a portion of its bill of fare : Arvicola Gapperi, 

 A. riparia, Hesperomys leucopns, Mus muscitlus, Jac- 

 iilns hndsouius* among quadrupeds; Turd us migrator ins, 

 Ortyx virginianus^ Melospiza melodia, among avcs; Ple- 

 thodon erythronotus, among batrachians ; and Lucauus 

 dama, Passalus cornutus, Prionus laticollis, and various 

 species of butterflies and crepuscular moths. 



This species nests in high northern latitudes. According 

 to Richardson, the nest is placed in a tree, and is composed 

 of sticks externally, with a lining of grasses and feathers. 

 In the Anderson River district, Mr. Macfarlane discovered 



