Species III. STRIX HUDSONIA* 



HAWK OWL. 



[Plate 1. Fig. 6.] 



Little Hawk Owl, Edw. 62.— Lath, i., 142, No. I'i.—Phil. Trans. 61. 385— Ze Chat- 

 huant de Canada, Briss. i., 518. — Buff, i., 391. — Chouetie d longue queue de 

 Siberie, PI. enl. 46i.—Aret. Zool. p. 234, No. 123. 



This is another inhabitant of both continents, a kind of equivocal 

 species, or rather a connecting link between the Hawk and Owl tribes, 

 resembling the latter in the feet, and in the radiating feathers round 

 the eye and bill ; but approaching nearer to the former Jn the smallness 

 of its head, narrowness of its face, and in its length of tail. In short, 

 it seems just such a figure as one would expect to see generated between 

 a Hawk and an Owl of the same size, were it possible for them to pro- 

 duce ; and yet it is as distinct, independent, and original a species, as 

 any other. The figure in the plate is reduced to one-half the size of 

 life. It has also another strong trait of the Hawk tribe, in flying and 

 preying by day, contrary to the general habit of Owls. It is charac- 

 terized as a bold and active species, following the fowler, and carrying 

 off his game as soon as it is shot. It is said to prey on Partridges and 

 other birds ; and is very common at Hudson's Bay ; where it is called 

 by the Indians Ooparacoch.f We are also informed that this same 

 species inhabits Denmark and Sweden, is frequent in all Siberia, and 

 on the west side of the Uralian chain, as far as Casan and the Volga ; 

 but not in Russia.J It was also seen by the navigators near Sandwich , 

 sound, in lat. 61° north. 



This species is very rare in Pennsylvania, and the more southern 

 parts of the United States. Its favorite range seems to be along the 

 borders of the arctic regions, making occasional excursions southwardly, 

 when compelled by severity of weather, and consequent scarcity of food. 

 I some time ago received a drawing of this bird from the district of 

 Maine, where it was considered rare ; that, and the specimen from, 

 which the drawing in the plate was taken, which was shot in the neigh- 

 borhood of Philadelphia, are the only two that have come under my 

 notice. These having luckily happened to be male and female, have 

 enabled me to give a description of both. Of their nest, or manner 

 of breeding, we have no account. 



* Strix funerea, Linn., which name must be adopted, 

 t Edwards. J Pennant. 



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