260 A SPRING AND SUMMER IN LAPLAND. 



but remains stationary in the same district 

 throughout the year. It is true, however, that in 

 the winter we occasionally kill an odd example, 

 both old birds and birds of the year, as far south 

 as Wermland, but I do not think, except as stray 

 individuals, that they migrate from their native 

 forests. The range of the hawk owl in the north is 

 precisely that of the Siberian jay — the lower fir 

 forests at the foot and by the sides of the fells ; 

 but I fancy that the Siberian jay breed further 

 south than the hawk owl. You never by any 

 chance, however, meet with them out of the fir 

 forests. 



The hawk owl is by no means shy, and in the 

 breeding season it is one of the boldest of all 

 birds. Seated on the top of a dead pine, close to 

 the nest where his mate is sitting, the old male 

 bird keeps a constant watch, and as soon as any 

 one appears to be approaching the nest, he raises 

 his tail and head, after the manner of the cuckoo,, 

 and uttering a shrill cry, not unlike that of the 

 kestrel hawk, down he comes full on the head of 

 the intruder ; dashing by with the speed of light- 

 ning, he returns to the charge again and again, 

 till he has either cleared the coast, or has paid the 

 penalty of his rashness with his life. My lad was 

 really frightened at this bird, and always hated 

 to go up to a nest ; and well he might, for on one 



