141 



Nesting. In evergreen trees or in holes in dry trunks. 



Distribution. The northern wooded parts of the continent, occurring within the 

 settled regions rarely in winter. 



SUBSPECIES. The Hawk Owl occurs in both the New and Old Worlds as allied 

 subspecies, the type being European. The American Hawk Owl S. u. caparoch is the 

 only form found in Canada. 



This is the most strictly diurnal of Canadian Owls. It is very hawk- 

 like in action and form, being of more slender and lighter build than other 

 members of its family. It may often be seen perched on the tip of a dry 

 tree trunk, reminding one very much of the Sparrow Hawk both in outline 

 and in the distinctive way in which it jerks its tail. 



Economic Statv°. This is a northern bird which occurs within the 

 bounds of cultivation only in winter and rarely. Few data are available 

 upon its food, but without doubt it is a mouser as it is too small to prey upon 

 larger animals. 



Order — Coccyges. Cuckoos and Kingfishers. 



Systematic zoologists are not agreed on the classification of these 

 birds. The present American Ornithologists' Union check-list (1910 

 edition) recognizes these as composing a full order and divides the Canadian 

 representatives into two suborders : Cuculi, including the American Cuckoos 

 and extralimital families, and Alcyones, the Kingfishers. Distinctive 

 characters are most easily described under the subfamily and specific 

 headings. 



SUBORDER— CUCULI. CUCKOOS, ETC. 



This suborder is represented in North America by only one family, 

 Cuculidce, comprising the Anis and two groups of Cuckoos. 



FAMILY — CTJCULID.E. AMERICAN CUCKOOS. 



A family represented in North America by three subfamilies, only 

 one of which occurs in Canada — Coccyzince, the Aiaerican Tree Cuckoos. 



Subfamily — Coccyzinse. American Tree Cuckoos. 



General Description. Birds with weak feet and yoke toes, two toes directed forward 

 and two backward (Figure 37, p. 24). The bills are rather long, gently curved, and sharp 

 pointed. The plumage is soft and thin, lacking in cohesion, and has the soft silky feeling 

 associated with many tropical species. The tail is long, soft, and graduated. 



Distinctions. May be distinguished from the Woodpeckers, which also have yoke 

 toes, directed two and two, by the difference in the bills and tails. In the Woodpecker 

 the bills are straight, stout, the tip chisel-pointed, and the tail is rather short, very stiff, 

 and bristle-like at the tip. 



The Cuckoos are largely tropical in distribution. The two Canadian 

 Cuckoos are outliers from the main body of species in warmer latitudes. 

 They are possessed of a sensuous tropical grace and air that are out of keep- 

 ing with northern climes. This is exhibited in their lithe, sinuous carriage, 

 full, round, deep throat, long, graceful tail, and thin but soft and silky plum- 

 age. They haunt hot and humid jungles of shrubbery, and flit across the 

 open spaces with a silent undulating flight that seems in harmony with their 

 exotic nature. English literature is rich in references to the Cuckoos, but 

 little that is said is applicable to the Canadian Cuckoo. The latter is not 

 an early-arriving species and comes in spring with a quietness that hides 



28587—10* 



