Interior of British North America. 51 
Willow-grouse and American hares—the “ white partridges ” and 
“ rabbits” of their parlance; and its audacity is such, that it 
was related to me by a chief factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s 
service, that he knew of an instance of one carrying off a wounded 
bird from the haversack of a hunter; its wing, having been 
sticking out and fluttering, attracted the Owl’s attention. I 
observed the Snowy Owl in the neighbourhood of the forks of 
the Saskatchawan as early as the 3rd of November. Mr. Ross 
has found it breeding on the Mackenzie. 
18. SlJRNIA ULULA. 
The Hawk-Owl ( f Ibis/ vol. iii. p. 320) is the most common 
Owl of the interior, up to the Arctic Coast; it is resident all 
the winter through on the Saskatchawan, and extends thence to 
Hudson’s Bay. It is the same bird that inhabits Northern 
Europe; but I have not heard that it has yet been met with by 
any ornithologist to the west of the Rocky Mountains. 
Order II. SCANSORES. 
1 cannot find that any Cuckoo has been observed in the western 
Indian country north of 49°; but two species are known to in¬ 
habit the Missouri Plains. 
19. PlCUS VILLOSUS. 
The Hairy Woodpecker, or its varieties, extends as far as 63° 
N. lat. My two specimens (‘ Ibis,’ vol. iv. p. 3) are of the larger 
variety, and were obtained during winter. I have seen as many 
as six holes, one above another, in an old burnt tree, the nest¬ 
ing-places of this bird. 
20. PlCUS PUBESCENS. 
This and the preceding species are frequently to be met with 
in company, as in the eastern part of the continent; and while 
the larger bird searches a good-sized poplar-tree in quest of its 
insect prey, the smaller is as actively engaged within a few feet 
on a dead or dying alder-bush. Besides my specimens Ibis,’ 
vol. iv. p. 3), both these birds are noted by Mr. Bernard Ross 
on the Mackenzie. 
PlCOIDES ARCTICUS. 
The Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker, besides being given 
e 2 
