354 LAND-BIRDS. 



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

 which, including New England, they are not uncommon. 

 They are resident in Massachusetts throughout the year. 

 They frequent the thick woods, from which they roam at 

 night over the open country and visit the farm-yard. They 

 usually roost among some clump of evergreens during the day, 

 and occasionally may be closely approached before they take to 

 flight. But on cloudy days, they see well, and, exceptionally, 

 even hunt for their prey, which consists of rabbits, squirrels, 

 skunks. Partridges, poultr}^, and the like. They fly with 

 great strength and ease, often sailing, even in circles, like the 

 Buzzards. Apparently they inhabit the same neighborhood 

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

 part of it. 



Nothing can more gratify a romantic imagination than 

 musings on the life of this Owl. Imagine the scenes that 

 characterize his existence. Fancy him perched on some tree : 

 a silent watcher, he survey- s the country 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 unsus- 

 pecting 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 furi- 

 ous winds, and in down-pouring rain ; at last, he pounces upon 

 some poor animal, and, tearing him piece-meal, begins his noc- 

 turnal 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 might disclose I But all this he en- 

 joys. His savageness and wildness of disposition are evident. 

 No other word than " devilish " can describe the Great Horned 

 Owl in confinement. Approach him in some corner, remark 

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

 opens and shuts them, and listen to his hisses. Approach 



