Species III. STRUT HUDSONIA* 
HAWK OWL. 
[Plate L. Fig. 6.] 
Little Hawk Owl, Edw. 02.— Lath, i., 142, No. 29.-Phil. Trans. 61. 385— Ze Chat- 
huant de Canada, Briss. i., 518. — Buff, i., 391. — Choucttc a longuc queue de 
' Sibcrie, PL enl. ^^Z.—ArcL 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 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 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 
ofi" 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.'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.^ 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. % Pennant. 
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