336 The Book of Woodcraft 



Great Horned Owl or Cat Owl {Bubo virginianus). This 

 is the largest of our Owls. About twenty-four inches long 

 and four feet across the wings. It is known at once by its 

 great ear tufts, its yellow eyes, its generally barred plumage 

 of white, black and buff, and its white shirt front. This 

 is the winged tiger of the woods. Noted for its destruction 

 of game and poultry, it is found throughout the timbered 

 parts of North America. 



Screech Owl {Otus asio). This is not unlike the 

 Horned Owl in shape and color but is much smaller — only 

 ten inches long. Sometimes its plumage is red instead 

 of gray. It feeds on mice and insects and has a sweet 

 mournful song in the autumn — its lament for the falling 

 leaves. It is found in the timbered parts of North America. 



Turkey Vulture or Buzzard {Cathartes aura). The Turkey 

 Vulture is about two and a half feet long and about six 

 feet across its wings. It is black everywhere except 

 on the under side of the wing which is gray, and the 

 head which is naked and red. It is known at once by the 

 naked head and neck, and is famous for its splendid flight. 

 It is found from Atlantic to Pacific and north to the Sas- 

 katchewan. It preys on carrion. 



In the Southern States is another species — the Black 

 Vulture or Carrion Crow — which is somewhat smaller 

 and wears its coat collar up to its ears instead of low on 

 the neck; also its complexion is dusky not red. 



Loon {Gavia immer). The common Loon is known by 

 its size — thirty-two inches long and about four feet across 

 the wings — and its brilUant black and white plumage. 

 It is noted for its skill as a fisher and diver. Its weird 

 rolling call is heard on every big lake in the country. 



Common Seagull {Larus argentatus). The common Sea- 

 gull is twenty-four inches long and four feet across. The 

 plumage is white with blue-gray back, when adult; but 



