STRTGID^. 57 



The type of this sub -family, — 



The Canada Owl (Surnia Ulula)^ is very common in 

 the northern parts of North America, where it is remark- 

 able for its daring disposition. 



In Canada it is almost impossible to travel eight or 

 ten miles in any of the retired woods without seeing 

 several of them even in broad day ; and at the approach 

 of night their cries are heard proceeding from every 

 part of the forest. Should the weather be lowering, 

 and indicative of the approach of rain, their vociferous 

 hootings are so multiplied, especially in the evening, and 

 they respond to each other in tones so strange, that one 

 might imagine some eltish revelry in progress. On ap- 

 proacliing one closely, its gesticulations aj-e seen to be of 

 a very extraordinary nature. The jiosition of the bird, 

 which is generally erect, is immediately changed. It 

 inclines its body to w^atch the motions of the intruder, 

 throws forward the lateral feathers of its head, which 

 has thus the appearance of bemg surrounded by a broad 

 ruff, looks toAvards him as if half blind, and moves its 

 head to and fro in such a manner as almost to induce 

 a belief that it is separated from the body. It follows 

 the stranger with its eyes, and should it sus23ect any 

 treacherous intentions, flies off to a short distance, 

 alighting with its back to the intruder ; but immediately 

 tinning about with a smgle junijj, recommences its scru- 

 tiny. In this way it may be followed to a considerable 

 distance ; but if shot at and missed, it removes itself out 

 of reach, after which its whah, whah, wliah is uttered 

 with ludicrous pomposity. 



These Owls wall answ^er the imitation of their own 

 cries, and are frecpiently destroyed by this artifice. Their 

 flight is smooth, noiseless, and gi-eatly protracted. They 

 haA'C been seen to pursue a direct course for more than 

 two miles until they were lost in the distance. So very 

 lightly do they fly, that they are frequently discovered 

 while passing over a person only a few yards distant by 

 their shadow on the ground cast by the clear moonlight, 

 when not the faintest rustlino- of their wings can be 

 heard. 



