HAWK OWL. 
91 
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 
distinct, independent, and original a species as any other. 
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 navigators 
near Sandwich Sound, in lat. 61 deg. north. 
This species is very rare in Pennsylvania, and the 
more southern parts of the United States. Its favourite 
range seems to be along the borders of the arctic regions, 
making occasional excursions southwardly when com- 
pelled 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 consi- 
dered rare : that, and another specimen which was shot 
in the neighbourhood 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. 
The male of this species is fifteen inches long ; the 
bill, orange yellow, and almost hid among the feathers ; 
plumage of the chin, curving up over the under man- 
dible ; eyes, bright orange ; head, small ; face, narrow, 
and with very little concavity ; cheeks, white ; crown 
and hind head, dusky black, thickly marked with round 
spots of white ; sides of the neck, marked with a large 
* Edwards. 
f Pennant. 
