64 



HAWK OWL. 

 STRIX HUDSOJVIA, 

 [Plate L.— Fig. 6.] 



Little Hawk Owl, Edw. 62.— Lath. T, 142, JVo. 29 — P/iii. Trans. 61. 385.— J^e Chat-huant cU Ca- 



nack, Bmss. I, 518 — Buef. I, 391 — Chouette a longue queue de Sibeiie, PI. enl 463 Jlrct. Zool. 



p. 234, JVo. 123.— Peale's Museum, eJVo. 500. 



THIS is another inhabitant of both continents, a kind of equi- 

 vocal 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 in 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 produce; and yet is as dis- 

 tinct, independent and original a species as any other. The figure 

 on 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 characterized 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 Coparacoch.* 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.! It was also seen by the navi- 

 gators near Sandwich sound, in lat. 61° north. 



* Edwards. 



f Pennant. 



