HAWK-OWLS. 



161 



commences to sit from the laying of the first egg. Never shy, in the breeding- 

 srasoii this owl is bold in the extreme. When the nest is approached, the bird 

 rapidly raises its head and tail in a series of jerks, after the manner of a cuckoo, 

 and then suddenly dashes at the intruder. Writing of the habits of this species in 

 Lapland, Mr. Wolley, in a letter to Prof. Newton, observes that the " hawk-owl 

 llies much in the daytime ; and, with its long tail, short, sharp wings, and quick 

 flight, has a very hawk-like appearance in the air, when its large square head is 



not seen. It carries itself much after the fashion of the more regular owls ; but 

 whilst all the feathers at the back give a great breadth to its full face, there is 

 quite a table at the top of its head. It cast its bright yellow eyes downwards with 

 the true air of half -puzzled wisdom, or turns its head round for a leisurely gaze in 

 another direction ; to glance backwards is out of the question, and to look at anyone 

 with a single eye is much beneath its dignity." 



The chief food of this owl consist of lemmings, voles, mice, and birds. The 

 breeding-season apparently commences in the middle of April and continues 



VOL. IV. II 



