AVES-OWL. 407 



before the sportsman can get within reach of it. " They are," he adds, " so 

 great a hindrance to those employed in the hunting service, that the same 

 premium is given for one of their heads as for that of the hawk." 



Wilson describes this bird as being particularly fond of frequenting the 

 shores and banks of shallow rivers, sailing slowly over the surface, or sitting 

 on a rock a little raised above the water, watching for fish, which it seizes 

 with a sudden and instantaneous stroke of the foot, seldom missing its aim. 

 It is capable of swallowing entire animals of considerable size, such as 

 grouse, and partridges, young hares, and rabbits. Mr Bullock mentions an 

 instance that came within his knowledge, in which a wounded individual 

 disgorged a whole rabbit. According to Hearne, the female makes her nest 

 upon the ground, and generally lays from three to four eggs, but seldom 

 hatches more than two. The young are unable to fly before September ; 

 and the parents never migrate in search of a more temperate climate, but 

 brave the coldest winters, even on the barren grounds, far from any shelter 

 that might be derived from the woods. In such situations they perch on 

 high rocks and stones, watching for their prey, their snowy plumage render- 

 ing them almost undistinguishable. Their voice is so dismal, that, as Pen- 

 nant observes, it adds horror even to a Greenland winter. 



THE WHITE, OR BARN OWL,* 



Though so common in Europe, is much rarer in the United States 

 than the preceding ; and is only found here during very severe win- 

 ters. This may possibly be owing to the want of those favorite recesses in 

 this part of the world, which it so much affects in the Eastern Continent. 

 The multitudes of old ruined towers, castles, monasteries, and cathedrals, 

 that every where rise to view in those countries, are the chosen haunts of 

 this well known species. Its savage cries at night give, with vulgar minds, 

 a cast of supernatural horror to those venerable mouldering piles of anti 

 quity. This species being common to both continents, doubtless extends to 

 the arctic regions. 



They feed eagerly upon the meadow mouse, which is found in the mea- 

 dows below Philadelphia, and on the marshes along the seashore. Another 

 favorite prey of this owl is the bat. 



1 Strix Jlammea, Lin. 



