HAWK OWL.

Surnia funerea, Dowmeril.
Strix funerea, Gmel.

Le Chouette caparacoch.

 

Or the European examples of the genus Swrnia, a genus established by M. Dumeril for the reception of
such of the Owls as approach the Fadconide in habits, manners, and general structure, the Hawk Owl,
although the least, is nevertheless one of the most typical. It possesses an almost unlimited range of habitat
throughout the northern and arctic regions of both continents, and is not unfrequently seen in Germany
and even France. No example, however, is on record of its having been seen in the British Islands, which
is rather remarkable, considering that the Snowy Owl, its most nearly allied relative, has been so frequently
captured within the British dominions. Like that fine species, the Hawk Owl is endowed with the faculty of
i seeing its prey, if not in the bright light of day, at least during dull weather and long before sun-set in the
evening, and from this circumstance, which has led to its being considered as a feeder by day, in connexion
i with its structure, it may be regarded, together with the rest of its genus, as forming the passage between

the Harriers on the one hand, and the true nocturnal Owls on the other.

 

Its food consists of rats, mice, birds, and insects.

According to the best information we can obtain, it builds in trees, and lays two white eggs.

The sexes differ in no respect except a trifle in size, and in the intensity of the markings.

The forehead is thickly dotted with white and brown, the facial disc is greyish white, partly encircled by
per surface is irregularly blotched with

 

 

a crescent-shaped band of black, which passes over the ears 5 the up
he latter colour predominating on the shoulders; the wings are brown, irregularly barred
barred with transverse rays of brown, the shaft

brown and white, t
with white ; the whole of the under surface is greyish white,
of each feather being also brown ; tail brown, barred with white ; tarsi greyish white ; toes yellow ; irides bright

yellow.
The Plate represents an adult male of the natural size.

 

 

 

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wae