118 CRUISE OF THE STEAMEE COKWIN. 



30. Surnia funerea {Linn.) Sick, and Sw. [407]. The American Hawk Owl. 



Tbis handsome specie.s seems to be irreguhul^' distiilmlcil in the Kowak region. Two speci- 

 mens were shot at Hotham Inlet, but in the wooded interior none came under mj- observation. 



As the name indicates, the Hawk Owl has some of the characteristics of the FalconkUe. and 

 possesses much of the latter's boldness and daring. While in camp at Hotham Inlet a striking 

 instance of this occurred. About dusk in the evening, as one of the party was returning to camp, 

 a Hawk Owl darted from a neighboring thicket, seized the cap from his head, and was beating a 

 hasty retreat with its novel prize. Before the owl had proceeded far, a well-directed shot brought 

 down the retreating marauder. I have never been able to decide whether the act was one of jjure 

 courage or a superabundance of audacity, but at all events it cost the brave bird its life. 



FALCONID^. HAWKS. 



31. Hierofalco gyrfalco sacer (Forst.) Ridgw. [412i]. Macfarlane's Gyrfalcon. 



The present species is one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds of prey in this 

 region. A pair or more can be seen circling overhead in any bold portion of the interior. It 

 breeds here early in June. The nest is placed in a tall spruce or upon a rocky eminence along the 

 river banks, and two or three eggs are the usual complement. 



32. iEsalon columbarius (Linn.) Kaup. [417]. The Pigeon Hawk. 



In this latitude the Pigeon Hawk is confined to the wooded interior. I have never met any 

 specimens along the Arctic coast. In the Kowak Kiver counti-y, liowever, it is not uncommon. 

 I saw the nest and young in the mountain districts, and shot a pair on the banks of the lower 

 river. This is the only record I have in the present region. While these data are hardly sufiQ- 

 cient evidence, I believe that it is a regular summer resident of northern Alaska. 



33. Circus hudsonius (iinn.) n«//. [430]. The Marsh Hawk. 



On the lower river, amougthe bush-covered lowlands, the Marsh Hawk is a common and abun- 

 dant species. A large number of specimens were brought to me by the natives at Hotham Inlet, 

 all of which were young birds. It nests in the interior; but after the young are grown it is 

 abundant along the Arctic coast. At this season of the year we see it flying back and forth over 

 the wet meadow lands. The southern migration takes place during the latter part of September. 



34. Astur atricapillus (Wih.) Bp. [433]. The American Goshawk. 



This flue bird was observed only on one or two occasions in the Kowak River region. I have no 

 data upon which to base an opinion, but according to my observation it is very uuc^'mmon. This 

 species is one of the boldest and hiirdiest of the Falconidw, and in lower latitudes many instances 

 of its daring came under my observation. 



TETRAONID^. GROUSE. 



35. Canace canadensis [Linn.) Bp. [472]. The Spruce Partridge. 



The Spruce Partridge is a sparing resident in this region. The only specimens that came under 

 my notice were along ihe upi)er river. It is found ex(;lnsively in the spruce forests of the interior; 

 and to my iiuowledge it never approaches the coast iu this latitude. I have never seen the nest 

 here, but it undoulitedly breeds wherever found. 



36. Bouasa umbellus umbelloides (Doiq/l.) Hainl. [473a]. The Gray Ruffed Grouse. 



Like its soutijcin relative, the familiar partridge, this species is confined to the wooded interior. 

 It is a siiaring resident iu the far north, and but comparatively few specimens came under my 

 observation. Like the ruffed grouse of the lower latitudes the i)resent species has the peculiar habit 

 of "drumming." In tlir si)ruce forests I liavc frequently heard it drum for hours at a time. This 

 is done during the mating season nnly, at which time many fierce rivalries exist between the males 

 and pitched battles are often fought. I have seen deserted nests of this species containing frag- 

 ments of the shell. 



