558 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



were searching for him very naturally omitted to explore the bushes in 

 which he was concealed, thinking that it was impossible that a covert 

 should at the same time shelter both an owl and a man. Thus, 

 thanks to the intervention of the bird, Gengis Khan was saved from 

 his pursuers. In memory of this event the Chinese were in the habit 



Fig. 258. — The Hawk or Canada Owl. 



of wearing on their heads an owl's feather. Certain tribes of the 

 Calmucs have an idol representing an owl. 



The Hawk Owl (Surnta ulula, Fig. 258), well known in North 

 America, especially in Canada, appears casually in the north of 

 Europe, and is common in Siberia. Its plumage is of a greyish- 

 brown colour. It feeds on hares, rabbits, rats, mice, reptiles, and 

 birds; it is about fifteen inches high. Audubon often had an op- 

 portunity of studying "its peculiarities. 



