62 ORNITHOLOGY AND OOLOGY. 



cannot imagine the effect produced by the contrast : he must 

 be on the spot in the dark night, and, through the sighing of 

 the winds amid the grand old trees, hear the owls and loons ; 

 then, silence, broken by the beautiful song of the Nightin- 

 gale. 



The flight of the Great Horned Owl is rapid, noiseless, 

 and vigorous ; he passes through the mazes of the forest 

 with great dexterity and ease ; and, when flying above the 

 trees, frequently soars in the manner of the Hawks. He is 

 very destructive among domestic poultry, frequently pouncing 

 on fowls that are roosting on trees in the night, and bearing 

 them off in his powerful grasp. This habit has rendered 

 him obnoxious to the farmers, who lose no opportunity for 

 destroying him. Rabbits, grouse, and other birds, fall vic- 

 tims to his rapacity ; and I have often shot individuals of 

 this species, whose feathers were so impregnated with the 

 peculiar odor of the skunk as to be unbearable at a near 

 approach. 



When a flock of crows discover the presence of one 'of 

 these birds, they immediately collect from all quarters, and 

 attack him on every side, uttering their harsh, discordant 

 cries : the owl is kept dancing and dodging on the limb, his 

 perch, in a ludicrous manner ; if he takes to flight, he is 

 pursued by his enemies, and soon forced to alight. I have 

 often been enabled to procure a specimen, by following 

 a noisy mob of this description ; just as we often are able 

 to secure one of the smaller owls by proceeding to the copse 

 where numbers of small birds — cat-birds, chewinks, and 

 thrushes — are scolding at their enemy. 



I have had several specimens of the Great Horned Owl 

 in captivity : they make amusing pets. When fed with raw 

 meat, they seldom take it freely from the hand or tongs ; 

 and often can be made to swallow it, only by our opening 

 their bills, and putting in the meat. They seem to have 

 the power of seeing by daylight ; for, if a living animal is 

 introduced into their cage, they instantly seize it. I have 



