THE HAWK-OWLS. 
89 
HaMts. — The name of “ Hawk ”-Owl is very well applied to 
this species, as in many of its ways it is more like a Hawk 
than an Owl, and has even a Hawk-like note. It pursues its 
prey in the daylight, and is a fierce and daring bird, often 
attacking a man in defence of its nest. Like the Snowy Owl 
it feeds largely on Lemmings, and follows the migrations of 
this small rodent. It will also devour mice, and even larger 
game, such as the Willow-Grouse, but likewise eats insects. 
West. — None ; the eggs being laid in the hole of a tree, on 
the chips of the wood at the bottom of the nest-hole. This 
Owl will also take possession of nesting-boxes placed for Ducks 
to breed in. 
Eggs. — From five to eight in number ; white, and somewhat 
smooth and glossy. They are laid at different intervals, as 
with the Snowy Owl, and incubation lasts from about the 
mii'dle of April to the middle of June. Axis, 1-5-1 -65; diam., 
1-25. 
II. THE AMERICAN H.WK-OWL. SURNIA FUNEREA. 
Strix funerea, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 133 (1766). 
Syrnia funerea, Macgill. Brit. B. iii. p. 404 (1840). 
Sur/iia funerea. Newt. ed. Yarn Brit. B. i. p. 183 (1872); 
Dresser, B. Eur. v. p. 309, pi. 312 (1872); Sharpe, Cat. 
B. Brit. Mus. ii. p. 131 (1875); B. O. U. List Brit. B. 
p. 88 (1883); Seeb. Br. B. i. p. 183 (1883); Saunders, 
Man. Brit. B. p. 295 (1889). 
Adult Kale. — Similar to S. uhda, but having the bars on the 
under surface of the body broader and more of a vinous-brown 
or rufous colour ; bill yellow ; iris bright yellow. Total length, 
IS inches ; wing, 9-5 ; tail, S’o. 
Adult Female. — Similar to the male in colour, and of about 
the same size. Total length, 14 inches; wing, 9-2. 
Range in the British Islands. — Four instances of the occurrence 
of this American species in the British Islands are authentic : 
one in Cornwall, in March, 1830 ; another near Yatton in 
Somersetshire, in August, 1847 ; one near Gla.sgow, in Decem- 
ber, 1863; and a fourth near Greenock, in November, 1868. 
The two other occurrences of Hawk-Owls have already been 
referred to as belonging to the European form. 
