142 STRIGID.E. 



In North America, particularly in Canada and about Hud- 

 son's Bay, it is of very frequent occurrence. In the central 

 parts of the continent of Europe it appears at uncertain 

 intervals, being some years quite unknown, and at other 

 times, for several years in succession, sufficiently plentiful 

 to be considered common. 



The appearance of this bird in England is confined to 

 a single specimen captured alive on board a vessel off the 

 western coasj^ when taken it was apparently exhausted with 

 fatigue. 



This Owl is a bird of the woods, but frequents copses and 

 swampy woods in preference to forests of larger extent. 

 When on the wing, these birds make themselves conspi- 

 cuous by moving in circuitous rounds from tree to tree. 

 When in pursuit of their prey they fly slowly, and are 

 sometimes seen to mount to a considerable height, even 

 in bright sunshine. The chief periods that they pass in 

 their chase for food are, during morning and evening, but 

 soon after sunset they retire to the woods. Sometimes they 

 have been observed to roost on the ground in marshy locali- 

 ties, in the manner of the harriers. On account of the 

 transverse lines on the under parts of the body, as well as 

 their hawk-like flight when on the wdng, they have been 

 called Sparrow-hawk Owls ; they are, nevertheless, readily 

 detected as Owls by their thicker head. 



Mice, rats, and other small mammalia, constitute their 

 usual food, as well as small birds ; and they are said to feed 

 on ptarmigans in the winter season. 



They are bold birds, and accompany sportsmen, in the 

 more northern regions, to share their game. They bear 

 the loss of liberty easily and become very tame. Their 

 voice is pleasant and soft, resembling that of the kestril, 

 and their call is often repeated in quick succession. 



Of the breeding of these birds very little is known ; they 

 are said to lay two white eggs. 



