AVES — owl. 469 



juniper trees, and are rarely seen abroad during the sunshine. They con- 

 struct their nests in the hollow of a tree, often in the orchard in an old 

 apple tree. 



I kept one of these birds, says Wilson, in a room for several weeks. It 

 was caught in a barn, and being unhurt, I had an opportunity of remarking 

 its manners. At first it struck itself so forcibly against the window as fre- 

 quently to deprive it, seemingly, of all sensation for several minutes; this 

 was done so repeatedly that I began to fear that either the glass, or the owl's 

 skull must give way. In a few days, however, it either began to compre- 

 hend the matter, or to take disgust at the glass ; for it never repeated its 

 attempts, and soon became quite tame and familiar. Those who have seen 

 this bird only in the day, can form but an imperfect idea of its activity and 

 even sprightliness in its proper season of exercise. Throughout the day it 

 was all stillness and gravity; its eyelids half shut, its neck contracted, and 

 its head shrunk seemingly into its body. But scarcely was the sun set and 

 twilight began to approach, when its eyes became full and sparkling like 

 two living globes of fire ; it crouched on its perch ; reconnoitered every 

 object round with looks of eager fierceness; alighted and fed; stood on the 

 meat with clenched talons, while it tore it in morsels with its bill; flew 

 round the room with the silence of thought, and perching, moaned out its 

 melancholy notes with many lively gesticulations, not at all accordant with 

 the pitiful tone of its ditty, which reminded one of the shivering moaning 

 of a half frozen puppy. 



THE LITTLE OWH 



Is one of the least of its whole genus, but, like many other little folks, makes 

 up in neatness of general form and appearance for deficiency of size, and is 

 perhaps the most shapely of all our owls. It also possesses an eye fully 

 equal in spirit and brilliancy to the best of them. 



This species is a general and constant inhabitant of the middle and north- 

 ern states ; but is found most numerous in the neighborhood of the sea- 

 shore, and among woods and swamps of pine trees. It rarely rambles much 

 during the day ; but if disturbed, flies a short way, and again takes shelter 

 from the light; at the approach of twilight it is all life and activity, being 

 a noted and dexterous mouse catcher. It is found as far north as Nova 

 Scotia, and even Hudson's Bay, and is frequent in Bussia. It builds its 

 nest in a pine tree. The melancholy and gloomy umbrage of those solitary 

 evergreens forms its favorite haunts, where it sits dozing and slumbering all 

 day, lulled by the roar of the neighboring ocean. 



1 S.passerina, Wilson. 



40 



