468 AVES—OWL. 
THE HAWK: OW L4 
Is a connecting link between the hawk and owl tribes. It has one strong 
trait of the hawk tribe in flying and preying by day, contrary to the general 
habit of owls. It is characterized asa bold and active species, following 
the fowler and carrying off his game as soon as shot. It is said to prey on 
partridges and birds, and is very common in Hudson’s Bay. It is rare in 
the soutmern parts of the United States. Its favorite range seems to be 
along the borders of the arctic regions. Of their nest and manner of breed- 
ing we have no account. It is an inhabitant of both continents. 
It is worthy of remark, that in all owls that fly by night, the exterior 
edges and sides of the wing quills are slightly recurved, and end in fine 
hairs or points; by which means the bird is enabled to pass through the air 
with the greatest silence, a provision necessary for enabling them the better 
to secure their prey. In the hawk owl, which dies by day, and to whom 
this contrivance would be of no consequence, it is accordingly omitted, or at 
least is scarcely observable. 
TE soe DO WL? 






Is well known by its common name of the little screech owl ; and noted for 
light nights they answer each other from various parts of the fields or 
ic Po i S 
il i ul f AST KS NX 
it NAN vo 
its melancholy quivering kind of wailing in the evening, particularly towards 
the latter part of summer and autumn, near the farmhouse. On clear moon- 
orchards; roost during the day in thick evergreens, such as cedar, pine, or 

1 Strix funerea, GMEL. 2S. asio, Lin. 
