340 LAKD-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



strnctive of their tribe in North America, in many parts of 

 which, including New England, the}' are not uncommon. They 

 are resident in IMassacluisetts throughout the year. They 

 frequent the thick Avoods, from whicli they roam at night 

 over the open conntry, and pny visits to the farm-3-ard. They 

 usually roost among some clump of evergreens during the 

 da}-, and occasionally may l)e closely approached before they 

 take to flight. But on cloudy days, they see well, and, ex- 

 ceptiouall}', even hunt for their pre}', which consists of rab- 

 bits, squirrels, skunks, partridges, poultry, and the like. They 

 fly with great strength and ease, often sailing, even in circles, 

 like the buzzards. Apparently they inhabit the same neighbor- 

 hood throughout the year, but lead a solitary life during the 

 larger part of it. 



Nothing can more gratify a romantic imagination than 

 musings on the life of this owl. Imagine the scenes which 

 characterize his existence. Fancy him perched on some tree : 

 a silent watcher, he surveys the conntry shrouded in darkness, 

 or fantastically lit by the moon, listens to the sighing of the 

 breeze through the pines, and marks the waving of the mys- 

 terious shadows ; then, spreading his wings, he sails away with 

 the silence of a spirit, ready to pounce upon his unsuspecting 

 prey, and alights in some still more romantic spot, perhaps by 

 a lonely river in the forest ; now, he wanders through a war 

 of elements which man shrinks from, through darkness, cold, 

 and falling snow, or goes abroad in a gloom impenetrable 

 except to him and his fellow-wanderers, in furious winds, and 

 in down-pouring rain ; at last, he pounces upon some poor 

 animal, and, tearing him piece-meal, begins his nocturnal 

 repast. Next, he startles some traveler by his unearthly cries, 

 perhaps united to the quavering note of the Loon. 



"What scenes he may have beheld, an unknown witness ; what 

 deeds of darkness he miglit disclose. But all this he enjoys. 

 His savageness and wildness of disposition arc evident. No 

 other word than "devilish" can describe the Great Horned 

 Owl in conlinemcnt. Approach him in some corner, remark 

 his unconquerable spirit, observe his glaring eyes, as he slowly 



