278 
ATHEN1DJE. 
the peculiar form, together with the color as described. Distributed, as a constant resident, throughout Northern North 
America to the Arctic Circle. Rare in New England during winter. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Dimensions of specimens from Massachusetts and Maine. Average measurements of males. Length, 15*25; stretch, 
31 "00; wing, 7'50; tail, 6‘75; bill, '95; tarsus, '95. Longest specimen, 15-75; greatest extent of wing, 32-00; longest wing, 
B’OD; tab, 7‘00; bill, 100; tarsus, l - 00. Shortest specimen, 14 - 75; smallest extent of wing, 30 - 00; shortest wing, 7'00; tail, 
6-50; bill, '85; tarsus ’90. 
Average measurements of female specimens. Length, 17-00; stretch, 32-00; wing. 8’00; tail, 7-00; bill, 1-00; tarsus, 
1"05. Longest specimen, 17"50; greatest extent of wing, 33"00; longest wing, 8"50; tail, 7"25; bill, 1" 10; tarsus, 1 -15. 
Shortest specimen, 16-75; smallest extent of wing, 31-00; shortest wing, 7 50; tail, 6'50; bill, ’90; tarsus, -95. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed either in holes of trees or oh the branches, composed of sticks, twigs, etc., lined with grass, leaves, and 
feathers. 
Eggs, six or seven in number, rather spherical in form, pure white in color, with the surface very smooth. Dimen¬ 
sions from 1-20x1-50 to 1*30x 1"62. 
HABITS. 
The Hawk Owl is common in Canada and northward but is very rare south of this 
point, consequently, is very seldom seen even in Massachusetts, where I have met with 
it but twice; once I secured a male in beautiful plumage in the Boston Market, some years 
ago, which had been killed in the vicinity, and a short time after this, I saw a fine adult 
cross the road just in advance of me. This specimen was flying in broad daylight, about 
noon, but it was one of those dark, lowering days in December which precedes a long win¬ 
ter storm. The bird moved as steadily as a TIawk but had the unmistakable motions of 
the wings so characteristic of the Owds. Although the Hawk Owl has been likened to 
the Falcons, yet the structure of the scapular arch, especially of the furcula, would prevent 
its making any sudden aerial evolution; therefore, it cannot capture its prey when upon 
the wing but must drop upon it in a similar manner to that practiced by all the members 
of the order. 
The Hawk Owls breed in the vicinity of Calais, Maine, for Mr. George Boardman has 
secured one or two nests there, but this may be considered as their southern range during 
summer and, as they are not strictly migratory, only a few irregular stragglers are ever 
found below this, even in winter. The time of depositing the eggs does not vary from 
that of the other small Owls, judging from a young female, now before me, which was 
taken by the Bangs Brothers at PortLe Preaux, New Brunswick, on the tenth of August, 
for it has almost wholly assumed the first plumage, being as far advanced^asa young Long¬ 
eared Owl, killed by the same enthusiastic collectors only a day or two ago, about the 
twelfth of August, in Wayland, Massachusetts. 
FAMILY YI. ATHENID'iE. THE GROUND OWLS. 
Sternum, with four marginal indentations. Tarsus, very long. Feet, rather small. 
Eyes , comparatively small , Facial disk, very imperfect. Ear tufts, wanting. Tail, quite 
short. 
